Since the 4th epidemic (from April 27, 2021) broke out until now, Ho Chi Minh City has undergone many periods of isolation at different levels, all with the goal of controlling the Covid-19 epidemic. Specifically, on May 31, Ho Chi Minh City implemented social distancing according to Directive 15 of the Prime Minister within 15 days, especially Go Vap District and Thanh Loc Ward (District 12) distance according to Directive 16 of the Prime Minister. general. As of May 31, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 51 infections. Until July 9, Ho Chi Minh City applied social distancing according to Directive 16 across the city. As of July 9, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 1,229 infections. On August 23, Ho Chi Minh City tightened the "whoever stay where they stay" distance, with the goal of basically controlling the Covid-19 epidemic by September 15. As of August 23, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 4,251 infections.
Thus, continuously for more than 3 months (from May 31st), in terms of mechanical distance, Ho Chi Minh City applied many levels, the later the level became tighter. Most businesses and services (except for essential services) are "freezing", but the momentum of infection in the community has not been completely prevented. As an example, the number of positive cases on September 2 was 5,963 cases, showing that the epidemic has "infiltrated deeply" in the community during the quarantine periods.
How far has the vaccine been covered?
On September 1, Ms. Vo Thi Trung Trinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications of Ho Chi Minh City, said that 6,219,536 people had been vaccinated, of which the first dose was 5,876,039 people, and the second dose was 343,497 people. It is expected that there are about 7.2 million people (aged 18 years and older) in Ho Chi Minh City who need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 that the Ho Chi Minh City Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has announced, there are still about approx. 1 million more people need injection 1; about 6.8 million people need the second shot. Regarding vaccine sources, on September 1, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health Nguyen Hoai Nam said that on August 30, the Ministry of Health decided to allocate to Ho Chi Minh City 2 more vaccines AstraZeneca and Pfizer with a total of 1,000,960 dose. These two vaccines will be used to give the second dose to people who have had the recommended time. Ho Chi Minh City focuses on vaccinating those who have been vaccinated in phase 4 (around June 20). So far, these people have had nearly 11-12 weeks of injections. Thus, with more than 1 million doses given on August 30 and Ho Chi Minh City deploys the second injection at this time, there are still about 5.8 million people who need the second injection. If based on the epidemiological factor that is considered safe based on the coverage rate of 2 doses of the vaccine to calculate the most specific spacing plan, the key problem must be related to the number of about 5, 8 million people need the 2nd shot (from now on)
The Ho Chi Minh City Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has developed a vaccination schedule in the coming time, in 4 phases starting from August 29 to December 31, 2021, with a total number of vaccines to be used about approx. 8,145,900 doses (of which, 1st dose is about 1.4 million doses, 2nd dose is about 6,745,900 doses). Thus, in terms of vaccine coverage to ensure epidemiological safety for people aged 18 years and older (with both doses), the plan could theoretically be achieved until December 31, 2021.
Having had enough vaccines but still "stay still" is very wasteful
Talking to PV Thanh Nien, Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga, former Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) emphasized the role of vaccine coverage. Specifically, people who receive 2 doses of the vaccine should be able to return to work normally. Further analysis, Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga said: “Vaccination and vaccine coverage are important factors to reduce cases and reduce infection, especially to reduce severe cases requiring mechanical ventilation, death, and avoid overcrowding load for the health system”.
Reference as Thanh Nien