A student in Lam Dong province is vaccinated against COVID-19

The campaign was launched ahead of the new school year that is due to start nationwide on September 5.

In fact, new subvariants of the Omicron variant, such as BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.12.1 and BA.2.74 have been reported in Vietnam. The daily number of coronavirus infections is showing signs of rising in the country, while the number of vaccine shots administered to children, especially primary schoolchildren, remains low.

Statistics show Vietnam has so far administered roughly 15.2 million vaccine doses for children five to 12 years old. Some localities have recorded low injection rates of less than 20%

Through the newly launched campaign, the Ministry of Health expects that all people across the country will respond to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and get vaccinated, especially for children and those who are at highest risk of virus infection.

It also seeks to target the completion of COVID-19 vaccinations for all children between five and 12 years old, as well as COVID-19 boosters of third and fourth doses in adults.