As of late February 23, Vietnam had administered over 192.4 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, including 16.7 million for children aged 12-17. (Photo: VNA)   

NDO/VNA – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the completion of administering booster shots to those aged 18 and above within the first quarter of 2022 amid complex and unpredictable developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a February 23 dispatch to ministries, sectors and localities, the Government leader asked for extra efforts to give second doses to children aged from 12 to 17 in February.

The Ministry of Health was assigned to speed up the purchase of vaccine for children from 5 years old, and gain early access to new vaccines, drugs, technologies and test kits in the world.

The leader also stressed that inspection and examination of prices and quality of vaccines, drugs, biological products and test kits must be strengthened.

Localities should focus on encouraging residents to get vaccinated, with special attention to the elderly and those with underlying diseases or unable to walk.