German media outlet highlights Vietnam’s COVID-19 containment efforts

German newspaper Jungewelt (Young World) has just published an article about Hanoi capital starting to conduct mass vaccination for citizens in an effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic as swiftly as possible.

Local people in many districts across Hanoi are waiting in line to receive the first COVID-19 vaccine does as part of the largest- ever vaccination campaign in the capital.

In the article, author Stefan Kühner said that in Hoan Kiem district, which previously often attracted a lot of tourists before the pandemic, about 4,000 doses of vaccine will be given to citizens on a daily basis at 7 inoculation sites.

First priority groups for vaccination include people working in agencies and offices with high risk of infection, and employees working in industrial zones.

About 5.1 million people aged between 18 and 65 will be vaccinated against COVID-19 during the biggest-ever vaccination campaign running from July to April next year. Currently, Vietnam is mainly using AstraZeneca, Moderna and Sputnik V vaccines, the article said.

According to the author of the article, the country has successfully brought the pandemic under control for a long time, with positive COVID-19 cases totaling around 3,000. However, since June, the number of new infections has increased rapidly, surpassing the 100,000 mark.

The Hanoi administration has enforced a score of drastic measures aimed at preventing the rapid spread of the virus.

People returning to the capital from coronavirus hotspots must undergo a 14-day isolation period and at least 3 PCR tests for COVID-19. If all three times are negative, people will continue with seven-day home quarantine and will PCR test again on the last day of isolation.

Hanoi has also set up many checkpoints on streets running to the city, with police, military and medical forces on duty regularly to control vehicles entering and leaving the capital.

The author said southern provinces are being heavily affected by the pandemic, especially Ho Chi Minh City. According to Stefan Kühner, the most important issue for the mass vaccination is how to secure sufficient vaccine supply for the local population.

However, negotiation on vaccine supply contracts with manufacturers faces plenty of difficulties, while the COVAX dose-sharing mechanism of the World Health Organization (WHO) has yet to meet the needs of most countries.