In his opening speech, the Leader of the Ministry of Health emphasized that vaccination against COVID-19 for children is important, first of all to protect children's health in the context of the complicated COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, vaccinating children in this age group against COVID-19 contributes to increasing COVID-19 vaccine coverage in the community.
Currently, some COVID-19 vaccines according to the manufacturer's instructions are indicated for vaccination of children aged 12-17 years. The manufacturer's research results also show that COVID-19 vaccination in children has the same disease prevention effectiveness as in people 18 years of age and older. Therefore, many countries around the world have implemented COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 12-17.
In Vietnam, the vaccination campaign for children aged 12-17 years old has been deployed nationwide since November, following a roadmap from high to low age groups, prioritizing vaccination for the 16-17 year old group and gradually lowering the age according to the progress of vaccine supply and the local epidemic situation. Vaccination against COVID-19 for children is carried out first in localities that have undergone social distancing and have a high incidence of COVID-19; Localities with high population density and high risk of infection.
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign for children aged 12-17 years officially launched from the beginning of November 2021 nationwide.
In parallel with organizing the Vaccination Campaign for children 12 - 17 years old, the Ministry of Health requires localities to speed up the progress of the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine; Vaccination coverage for groups of people aged 50 and over to protect them against the risk of serious illness and reduce the risk of death if unfortunately infected, according to the direction of Resolution 128/NQ-CP of the Government and Decision 4800/QD-BYT of the Ministry of Health.
Experts from the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology guide localities to organize COVID-19 vaccination for children in the form of a Campaign, at fixed vaccination facilities, mobile vaccination sites and schools.
- For children aged 12-17 years old who are going to school, a list will be made by class and vaccination will be carried out in advance for the age group of high school students, respectively by grade level from grade 12 to grade 11 and grade 10; Next are middle school students from grades 9, 8, 7.
- Children who do not go to school will be investigated and listed in the community to ensure they do not miss the opportunity to vaccinate them.
The vaccine used to vaccinate children 12-17 years old is Pfizer's Comirnaty vaccine, used similarly to people 18 years of age and older; at a dosage of 0.3 ml per dose, intramuscular route of administration; The vaccination schedule includes 2 injections, the interval between 2 injections is 3 to 4 weeks (21-28 days).
Children's safety is the top priority
To ensure vaccination safety, the coordination of teachers and parents is needed. Parents and guardians need to sign a consent form to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, at the same time prepare their children's psychology and health well before vaccination and coordinate to monitor the child's health after vaccination according to the instructions of vaccination staff.
The top requirement in vaccinating children against COVID-19 is to ensure vaccination safety. At the training session, experts from the National Children's Hospital trained medical staff at bridge sites on instructions for COVID-19 pre-vaccination screening for children according to regulations of the Ministry of Health.
Screening standards are concisely built, updating international standards for COVID-19 vaccination for children, with safety as the top priority, on the basis of expanding vaccination indications to the maximum, creating the most convenient opportunity for all Vietnamese children to have access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The highlight of pre-vaccination screening for COVID-19 vaccines for children is mobilizing the hospital system and prevention system in parallel, ensuring that each vaccinated child is managed and monitored in the safest conditions. Children with congenital diseases, chronic diseases, severe allergies or abnormal health conditions discovered when coming for vaccination at community vaccination sites will be counseled and guided to be screened for vaccination and monitored at vaccination sites at the hospital.
The top requirement in vaccinating children against COVID-19 is to ensure vaccination safety
Experts from the National Children's Hospital clarify post-vaccination reactions - a content of great concern to vaccination staff and the community; Situations that can occur after COVID-19 vaccination in children to varying degrees; Appropriate handling, monitoring, and treatment to ensure the safety of children after vaccination without affecting the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Also at the training session, the topic of cardiovascular complications in children after vaccination with some types of COVID-19 vaccines was carefully analyzed by pediatric cardiology experts at the National Children's Hospital so that medical staff working in vaccination nationwide can clearly understand, monitor, detect complications (if any), apply treatment measures at each level, helping ensure safety for children after vaccination.
The National Children's Hospital and children's hospitals nationwide are ready to provide professional support to hospitals in the system as well as vaccination sites in the community, contributing to ensuring overall safety for the entire campaign.
The Ministry of Health and the National Expanded Immunization Program call for and hope to receive the support, trust and proactive participation of parents and caregivers, in coordination with the health sector and schools so that their children have the opportunity to receive a safe, full-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
Every child 12-17 years old who is vaccinated with a safe, full-dose COVID-19 vaccine will contribute to creating strong community immunity, helping the whole country adapt safely and flexibly to the new normal conditions.
October 28, City. Ho Chi Minh City has vaccinated 103,683 people. All injection sites are safe and orderly.
+ Since TP. Ho Chi Minh City started organizing vaccination and by the end of October 28, 12,938,986 injections were administered, of which 5,689,910 people received the second injection.
+ People over 18 years old who have received 1 injection are: 99.48%; People vaccinated with 2 doses: 78.93%; People over 65 years old vaccinated with 2 shots: 90.15%; People over 50 were vaccinated with 2 shots, 84.16%.
+ Vero Cell Vaccine has administered 3,311,218 injections.
+ On October 28, 2021, 77,730 children 12-17 years old were vaccinated. Cumulatively until October 28, 2021, 79,418 children were vaccinated.
Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/huong-dan-trien-khai-chien-dich-tiem-vaccine-phong-covid-19-cho-tre-12-17-tuoi-169211029150359657.htm