HCM City launches massive vaccination campaign against COVID-19

A massive vaccination campaign against COVID-19 is due to begin in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam, on July 22 with more groups of people expected to get the jab.

More people in HCM City will get the jab in coming days.

Approximately 930,000 doses of Moderna, AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines have been delivered to all medical centres in all 22 districts, towns and Thu Duc city – the class-1 city within HCM City.

The city will consider mixing the jabs or using a single vaccine, said sources, adding it aims to administer all doses within two to three weeks.

During the campaign, the vaccines will be administered to frontline forces, people with chronic diseases, people aged 65 and above, poor people, social policy beneficiaries; workers at establishments producing essential goods, and medical staff’s relatives.

Foreign employees and those of high-risk groups like traders and transporters will also get the vaccine shot this time.

HCM City currently has more than 650,000 people aged 65 and above, according to preliminary data.

Duong Anh Duc, vice chairman of the municipal administration, says the city has developed a plan to inoculate two million people in the first place, and hoped the Ministry of Health will roll out more doses in July and August for vaccinations.

HCM City is currently the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam, recording approximately 2,000 new cases every day.