WHO representative in Vietnam Dr Angela Pratt. (Photo: Ministry of Health)

From the onset of the pandemic three years ago, Vietnam applied strong and effective social and public health measures to respond to COVID-19, Pratt said, adding that Vietnam has one of the lowest mortality rates in the region.

Vietnam did an incredible job rolling out the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 and 2022, she told Vietnam News Agency, adding that the speed and scale of the rollout, including efforts to ensure vaccines reach every corner of the country, is one of the great success stories of the country’s COVID-19 response, and the region more broadly.

The WHO representative said an effective response to COVID-19 will still be a challenge for many countries. If Vietnam maintains preparedness for worsened pandemic development, with its experience of the past three years and the National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan continuing to be reviewed, the country is well placed to respond to future outbreaks, Pratt added.