Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Thị Liên Hương answers questions at the regular Government press conference. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health (MoH) has proposed the Government introduce an all-new V2K message for COVID-19 prevention and control to replace the 5K guidance, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Thị Liên Hương has announced.

The 5K message encouraged khẩu trang (facemasks), khử khuẩn (disinfection), khoảng cách (distance), không tụ tập (no gatherings) and khai báo y tế (health declarations), to help citizens live safely with the COVID-19 pandemic in the ‘new normal’.

The new V2K mandate, which stands for vaccines, khẩu trang (facemask) and khử khuẩn (disinfection), has been put forward by the MoH to replace 5K.  

The MoH has gathered opinions from members of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and submitted the proposal to the Government for approval.

In the press conference following the cabinet meeting held on Saturday, Hương said the proposal was a result of the pandemic being bought under control in Việt Nam. The 5K message could return if a new COVID-19 variant occurs affecting residents’ health, said Hương.

Regarding questions over whether third and fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines would be mandatory now that the pandemic has been controlled, Hương said currently while COVID-19 has been included in the list of dangerous infectious diseases, a mandate is not in effect at the moment in Việt Nam due to three reasons.

First, WHO recommends that vaccination should be voluntary rather than forced. Second, other countries in the world have not mandated vaccination for all people, and only required the shots for specific groups like police or military officers, and especially no mandate for children aged 5-12 years. And third, all available COVID-19 vaccines are still having their data on protectiveness and safety monitored and collected for research.

In the Government cabinet meeting, talking about the primary tasks for next month, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has asked ministries and leaders of provinces and cities to continue implementing COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

They should focus on promoting vaccination campaigns safely and effectively, especially for children.

The MoH will assess the situation to effectively use its budget of VNĐ46 trillion (US$1.9 billion) allocated for vaccines, drugs and medical equipment.

The PM noted that the COVID-19 pandemic could still be complicated and other diseases might occur, so it is necessary to remove difficulties and obstacles to ensure vaccines, medicines, equipment, and medical supplies for disease prevention. — VNS

Tourists at the Nam Sơn Pagoda in Hoà Vang District, Đà Nẵng City. Việt Nam has lifted most COVID-19 curbs, except for masking and disinfection, and restored nearly all socio-economic activities, on the back of high vaccination rates and falling numbers of cases and deaths. VNA/VNS Photo Trần Lê Lâm