In implementing COVID-19 vaccination campaign, by October 11, 2021, Ministry of Health has received and vaccinated using more than 55 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for individuals older than 18 years of age. In the near future, Ministry of Health shall continue to purchase, import, and receive vaccines with difference manufacturing technology (mRNA vaccines, inactivated vaccines, etc.) Certain types of COVID-19 vaccine have now been recommended for children by manufacturers. Research results of manufacturers also show similar preventive efficacy in adults and the elderly. Many countries have now deployed COVID-19 vaccine for children. In order to gradually increase coverage and attain maximum use efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine, as per vaccine use experience of some countries; Ministry of Health recommends:

1. Departments of Health of provinces and cities:

a) Continue to promote COVID-19 vaccination progress for individuals at 18 years of age or older, prioritize providing sufficient COVID-19 vaccine doses for individuals at 50 years of age or older according to regulations of the Government, Prime Minister, National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Epidemic Management, and Ministry of Health.

b) Implement COVID-19 vaccine for children:

- Expand vaccination recipients to children from 12 – 17 years of age in descending order of age (vaccinate children within 16 - 17 years of age first and lower the age gradually) according to vaccine supply progress and local epidemic situations.

- Type of vaccine: vaccines approved by Ministry of Health for this age group according to instruction of manufacturers and Ministry of Health. Each recipient shall receive 2 basic doses with the same type of vaccine.

- Develop plans and implement the first dose from October, 2021 if all requirements are met.

- Cooperate with Departments of Education and Training in reviewing and producing lists of vaccination recipients for children pursuing 6th grade to 12th grade. In case of children who are within the age group but are not pursuing education, cooperate with local governments in producing the lists.

- Organize vaccination in form of campaigns in fixed, mobile vaccination sites, and schools (for areas where students are allowed to study at schools). Organization for vaccination shall conform to Section III of Instruction on organizing vaccination session for COVID-19 vaccine attached to Decision No. 3588/QD-BYT dated July 27, 2021 of Ministry of Health.

+ Parent or guardian shall sign consent form for COVID-19 vaccination (if agree to vaccinate children in this age group) attached hereto.

+ Perform pre-vaccination screening tests as per applicable regulations of Ministry of Health and designate type of vaccine to be used according to instructions of manufacturers.

+ Provide guidelines on monitoring and caring after vaccination according to guidelines of Ministry of Health.

- Publicize and mobilize to enable the general public to promptly and adequately vaccinate children at 12 - 17 years of age.

2. Epidemiology Institutes, Pasteur Institutes:

- Develop documents, prepare training plans, and provide guidelines on implementing COVID-19 vaccination for children at 12 - 17 years of age for provinces and cities within their management for vaccines allowed to be used for children in this group age by Ministry of Health.

- Direct, instruct, and provide technical support for local governments in implementing vaccination.

For your immediate implementation./.

CONSENT FORM FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION

(Attached to Official Dispatch No. 8688/BYT-DP dated October 27, 2021 of Ministry of Health)

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