The proposal to replace '5K' with 'V2K' is now under control.
According to Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, the Ministry has proposed the V2K (vaccine - mask - disinfectant) model and has consulted with members of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 prevention and control before submitting it to the Government.
At the regular government press conference in May 2022, held on the afternoon of June 4th, the press questioned the Ministry of Health about the current situation.Covid-19 pandemicNow that the situation is under control, will the 3rd and 4th doses of the vaccine be mandatory, and will the Ministry amend the "5K" regulations?
Responding at a press conference on the issue, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong stated that, according to the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, specifically Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 29 on the mandatory use of vaccines and medical biological products: Individuals at risk of contracting infectious diseases in epidemic areas and those traveling to epidemic areas are required to use vaccines and medical biological products for diseases for which vaccines and biological products are available.
Children and pregnant women must use mandatory vaccines and medical biological products for infectious diseases included in the Expanded Immunization Program; Parents or guardians of children and all citizens are responsible for complying with the requirements of competent health facilities regarding the use of mandatory vaccines and medical biological products.
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Vaccination program for children aged 5-11 years old is being implemented. (Photo: Archival image) |
According to Clause 2, Article 30, MinisterMinistry of HealthResponsible for: Issuing the list of infectious diseases requiring mandatory vaccines and medical biological products as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 29; Organizing the implementation of the Expanded Immunization Program and stipulating the list of infectious diseases requiring mandatory vaccines and medical biological products, and the age groups of children eligible for the Expanded Immunization Program as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 29; Specifying the scope and target groups for mandatory vaccines and medical biological products depending on the epidemic situation; Regulating the use of vaccines and medical biological products as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 27 of this Law; and the conditions of medical facilities as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 27.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Lien Huong emphasized: "Based on the regulations of the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, on October 17, 2017, the Ministry of Health issued a list of infectious diseases, the scope and subjects required to use vaccines and medical biological products."
The Deputy Minister of Health further emphasized that on April 1, 2020, the Prime Minister signed Decision 447 declaring the Covid-19 epidemic, classifying it as a Group A infectious disease with the potential to cause a global pandemic nationwide.
However, currently, Covid-19 has not been updated to the list of infectious diseases requiring mandatory vaccines and medical biological products, nor are there regulations specifying the scope and target groups for mandatory vaccines and medical biological products for children under the expanded immunization program, based on the epidemic situation, for the following reasons:
Firstly, the World Health Organization recommends that vaccination should be implemented on a voluntary basis, rather than a mandatory one.
Secondly, the use of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide is largely voluntary, with only a few countries mandating vaccination for certain groups such as workers, police officers, and military personnel, and not yet mandatory for children aged 5-12.
Thirdly, the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines is still being monitored and evaluated.
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Two types of COVID-19 vaccines are administered to children aged 5 to under 12: the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. (Photo: Archival image) |
Based on current regulations and the reasons mentioned above, there is currently insufficient basis to determine that vaccination for children aged 5-12 years is mandatory.
"Following the Deputy Prime Minister's directive, the Ministry of Health will work with the Ministry of Justice and relevant units to consider this issue. Regarding whether or not to amend the "5K" regulations, since the outbreak of Covid-19, the "5K" message has been used very effectively, contributing greatly to the prevention and control of the epidemic. However, currently the Ministry of Health has advised temporarily suspending health declarations, not mandating restrictions on large gatherings and social distancing. Therefore, in essence, only mask-wearing and disinfection remain," Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Lien Huong stated.
In addition, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Lien Huong stated: "Currently, getting vaccinated against Covid-19 on schedule and with the correct dosage is very important to ensure disease prevention. The Ministry of Health has proposed V2K (vaccine - mask - disinfectant) and has consulted with members of the National Steering Committee on Covid-19 prevention and control before submitting it to the Government. However, in the draft, the Ministry of Health also clearly states that the "5K" message will still be used if a new variant appears that affects people's health."
