More than 1,200 new cases, 304 recoveries; continue to give free vaccines to people

The Ministry of Health 's Covid-19 epidemic prevention bulletin on May 22 said that there were 1,222 new cases, an increase of nearly 300 cases compared to the previous day, and one patient in Hanoi died.

Covid-19 vaccination for students. (Source: VNA)

Covid-19 epidemic situation in Vietnam

Since the beginning of the epidemic, Vietnam has had 11,603,960 infections, ranking 13th out of 231 countries and territories, while with the rate of infections per 1 million people, Vietnam ranks 120th out of 231 countries and territories (on average, there are 117,267 infections per 1 million people).

Covid-19 treatment situation

1. Number of patients recovered:

- Patients announced to be cured on the day: 304 cases

- Total number of cured cases: 10,635,369 cases

2. The number of patients on oxygen is 100 cases, including:

- Oxygen breathing through mask: 83 cases

- High flow oxygen HFNC: 4 cases

- Non-invasive ventilation: 4 cases

- Invasive mechanical ventilation: 9 cases

- ECMO: 0 cases

3. Number of deaths:

- One death was recorded on the day in: Hanoi .

- Average number of deaths recorded in the past 7 days: 0 cases.

- The total number of deaths due to Covid-19 in Vietnam to date is 43,204, accounting for 0.4% of the total number of infections.

- Total deaths ranked 26/231 territories, deaths per 1 million people ranked 141/231 countries and territories in the world . Compared to Asia, total deaths ranked 7/50 (ranked 3rd in ASEAN), deaths per 1 million people ranked 29/50 countries and territories in Asia (ranked 5th in ASEAN).

Covid-19 vaccination situation

On May 21, 0 doses of Covid-19 vaccine were injected. Thus, the total number of doses of vaccine injected is 266,348,418 doses, of which:

+ Number of doses for people aged 18 and over is 223,700,326 doses: 1st dose is 70,908,904 doses; 2nd dose is 68,453,447 doses; Supplementary dose is 14,343,935 doses; 1st booster dose is 52,126,542 doses; 2nd booster dose is 17,867,498 doses.

+ Number of injections for children from 12-17 years old is 23,965,543 doses: 1st dose is 9,130,889 doses; 2nd dose is 9,021,366 doses; 1st booster dose is 5,813,288 doses.

+ Number of doses for children aged 5-11 is 18,682,549 doses: 1st dose is 10,222,129 doses; 2nd dose is 8,460,420 doses

People are still vaccinated against Covid-19 for free

The Ministry of Health has just issued Decision 2227/QD-BYT on the promulgation of the plan for using Covid-19 vaccines in 2023 to continue implementing Covid-19 vaccination for children aged 5 years and older, while preparing to implement vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years, and to inject the next booster shots when recommended.

This plan helps localities determine their own vaccine needs, develop and implement Covid-19 vaccination plans in their localities in accordance with the situation.

The Ministry of Health said that Vietnam has completed basic vaccination for people aged 12 and above; in 2023, it is necessary to continue to vaccinate new subjects reaching the age of Covid-19 vaccination and to vaccinate booster doses.

Regarding the strategy for using Covid-19 vaccines in Vietnam, the Ministry of Health has determined to make maximum use of existing vaccines, especially vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) or included in the emergency use list and vaccines licensed for use by the Ministry of Health.

Along with that, the health sector applies the method of combining different types of Covid-19 vaccines based on research results and vaccine use experience of Vietnam and other countries around the world to create high immune efficiency and ensure safety.

The Ministry of Health conducts Covid-19 vaccination for subjects according to WHO recommendations; uses vaccines according to local recommendations, people's needs and the amount of vaccine provided according to the Ministry of Health's instructions.

It is estimated that by the end of 2023, localities will need more than 2,259 million additional doses of Covid-19 vaccines. This demand may change according to local proposals.

Specific subjects to be vaccinated according to the above plan include: People aged 18 and over: people who are eligible for vaccination, people who have not received booster shots and people who are scheduled for vaccination in 2023 (people aged 17 to 18); people aged 12 to under 18, people who have not received 3 shots, people who are scheduled for vaccination in 2023 (people aged 11 to 12); people aged 5 to under 12 who need to receive basic vaccination.

Children under 5 years old and subsequent injections for groups of subjects aged 5 years and older. Regarding this group of subjects, the Ministry of Health stated that the implementation of the basic dose of Covid-19 vaccination for children under 5 years old and subsequent injections for groups of subjects aged 5 years and older will be recommended and specifically guided by the Ministry of Health when there is sufficient basis, scientific basis and in accordance with the epidemic situation.

Covid-19 vaccines will still be given free of charge to people in 2023. Funding for this plan will come from the state budget, the Covid-19 Vaccine Fund, and aid, sponsorship, and support from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals, along with other cooperative capital sources.

In this plan, the Ministry of Health clearly states that campaign vaccination can be integrated with regular vaccination activities in accordance with local implementation.

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