A nurse at a HCM City hospital vaccinates a person against COVID-19. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City officials are working on increasing the relatively low COVID-19 vaccination rate among children.

Nguyễn Hồng Tâm, deputy director of the Hồ Chí Minh City Centre for Disease Control (HCDC), said the rate of children aged 12-18 in the city who have got a third shot is 32 per cent compared to the national average of 50 per cent. 

The rate for children aged five to 12 is also low. 

Department of Health will focus on vaccinations throughout September, even during the Independence Day holidays, which lasted from September 1 to 4.

It has instructed the HCDC to supply enough vaccines to all hospitals and healthcare centres, especially during the four-day holidays.

It plans to advocate the vaccine’s benefits and set a clear vaccination schedule for people in the city. 

Vaccination centres will be set up at central hospitals, children's hospitals and healthcare centres and will be open every day.

Sufficient staff will be allocated to them to ensure the public can be vaccinated in time. 

The number of COVID cases has gradually risen again in the city. On August 8 there were 163 new cases including 38 severe ones reported by the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. — VNS