Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long addresses the meeting on April 16, 2021. (Photo: Ministry of Health)

“The COVID-19 vaccine batch with 811,000 doses have arrived at provinces. The Health Ministry has asked provinces to ensure rapid administration of the vaccine before May 5. The Prime Minister has asked all localities and the Health Ministry not to allow any dose to be destroyed due to late administration. If localities don't use up all the vaccine shots they have been provided with, the health ministry would reclaim all the shots,” according to Minister Long.

As such, localities must complete their second Covid-19 vaccination round before May 5, instead of the May 15 deadline. The Minister has set up an Inoculation Steering Committee to ensure safety and cope with any possible complications after vaccination.