The number of COVID-19 cases tends to increase, the Prime Minister issued an official dispatch to direct

Vietnam has rapidly increased vaccine coverage, but in some places, vaccination has not met requirements and vaccination progress is slow.

Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the world is forecast to continue to be complicated and unpredictable with the emergence of many new variants. The World Health Organization continues to affirm that up to now, vaccination is still a strategic solution to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the country, the COVID-19 epidemic situation is still basically under control, and socio-economic activities have returned to normal. However, recently, the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and severe cases has been increasing; many localities have recorded new variants of the virus with the ability to spread faster than the original variant; many epidemics such as dengue fever, seasonal flu, hand, foot, and mouth disease have appeared... Vietnam has rapidly increased the vaccination coverage rate, but in some places, vaccination has not met the requirements, and vaccination progress is still slow, especially the second injection for children from 5 to under 12 years old, and the third and fourth injections for people 18 years old and older are still low.

To continue to protect and sustainably maintain the achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control, especially in the context of the epidemic's increasing risk, and to create conditions for socio-economic recovery and development, the Prime Minister requested:

1. About COVID-19 vaccination:

- The Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities; Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and Government agencies, according to their assigned functions and tasks, focus on directing the strict and effective implementation of vaccination in accordance with the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, and complete vaccination for all ages as soon as possible according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health.

- The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-run city directly directs and is responsible for vaccination in the locality, ensuring progress in accordance with the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee and timely and effective use of the allocated COVID-19 vaccines, avoiding waste. Directing local authorities to go to every alley, knock on every door, check every person; continue to urgently organize mobile vaccination in areas with low vaccination rates for the second dose for children from 5 to under 12 years old, and the third and fourth doses for people from 18 years old and above to ensure the set goals.

- The Ministry of Health shall strengthen inspection and urge localities to carry out vaccination, promptly report to the Prime Minister for direction to localities that do not ensure progress.

2. On responding to new variants:

- The Ministry of Health closely follows the developments of the COVID-19 epidemic in the world, increases exchanges, information, consults international experience and experts' opinions to assess and forecast the epidemic developments caused by new variants, deploys community immunity assessment, proactively advises on appropriate response solutions and organizes timely and effective implementation. In cases beyond the authority, report to the Government and the Prime Minister.

- The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-run city shall direct the review and update of scenarios, prepare adequate human resources, medicines, equipment, and medical supplies, and be ready for all possible epidemic situations, ensuring that people have access to medical services as quickly and as soon as possible, right at the grassroots level; resolutely respond promptly and effectively in case of a resurgence of the epidemic. Any agency or locality that fails to promptly control and allows the epidemic to spread widely must be responsible before the Party, the State, and the People.

3. Regarding information and communication work:

- The Ministry of Health proactively and promptly provides updated information on the epidemic situation, especially the risks caused by new variants, and disease prevention and control measures.

- The Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, press agencies, and authorities at all levels continue to promote information and propaganda work so that people strictly comply with legal regulations on epidemic prevention and control, and actively get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect themselves, their families, and the community.