DECISION

APPROVING 2021 - 2022 COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN

MINISTER OF HEALTH

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 75/2017/ND-CP dated 20/6/2017 on functions, duties, powers and organizational structure of Ministry of Health;  

Pursuant to the Government’s Resolution No. 21/NQ-CP dated 26/2/2021 on purchase and use of COVID-19 vaccines;

Pursuant to Decision No. 3659/QD-BYT dated 21/8/2020 by the Ministry of Health on guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine research, clinical trials, marketing authorization and use;

At the request of General Director of General Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health,

HEREBY DECIDES:

Article 1. Promulgated together with this Decision is the 2021 - 2022 COVID-19 vaccination plan (hereinafter referred to as “Plan”).

Article 2. The Plan shall provide the basis for units and local governments to formulate and launch their COVID-19 vaccination plans. The Plan will be revised as appropriate to the pandemic’s situation and vaccine provision capacity.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect from the date on which it is signed.

Article 4. Heads of Office of the Ministry of Health, General Department of Preventive Medicine, Drug Administration of Vietnam, Administration of Science Technology and Training, Medical Services Administration, Department of Planning and Finance, Department of Communication and Emulation, Commendation, National Institute for Control of Vaccines and Biologicals, Institutes of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Pasteur Institutes, Departments of Health and relevant units shall implement this Decision./.

2021 - 2022 COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN

(Promulgated together with Decision No. 1467/QD-BYT dated 05/3/2021 by Minister of Health)

I. NECESSITY OF PLAN FORMULATION

As of now, Vietnam has recorded 2.472 COVID-19 cases and 35 deaths.

For efficient COVID-19 prevention, countries around the world have started the largest vaccination program in history. To date, 265 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in 108 countries and territories. As of 23/02/2021, 11 vaccines have been approved for emergency use by countries or approved by European Medicines Agency (EMA). Most vaccines require 2 intramuscular shots at least 14 days apart and storage at 2 - 8 degrees Celsius.

The COVAX Facility (initiative for global access to COVID-19 vaccines) was founded by GAVI and WHO with the aim of providing COVID-19 vaccines for 190 countries. On 10/12/2020, GAVI recognized Vietnam as one of the initiative’s participants and eligible for vaccine support. According to current estimation, the initiative will supply free vaccines and vaccination materials for 15-16% of the populations of 92 countries, including Vietnam. On 26/02/2021, the COVAX Facility notified that approximately 4,1 million doses of the AstraZenecca vaccine would be delivered to Vietnam from February to May of 2021, and provision of the remaining amounts would be informed later.

Vietnam is actively searching for other vaccine sources via direct discussion with foreign producers to secure vaccines for all Vietnamese citizens.

For timely receipt and use of vaccines provided by different sources, Vietnam needs to formulate a COVID-19 vaccination plan on the basis of Vietnam’s situation and estimated vaccine provision capacity.

II. LEGAL GROUNDS

- Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases No. 03/2007/QH12 dated 21/11/2007.

- Law on Pharmacy No. 105/2016/QH13 dated 06/4/2016.

- The Government’s Decree No. 104/2016/ND-CP dated 01/7/2016 on vaccination.

- Notification No. 164/TB-VPCP dated 31/12/2020 by the Office of the Government on the Prime Minister’s conclusions in meeting of standing Government members on COVID-19 vaccines.

- The Government’s Resolution No. 21/NQ-CP dated 26/2/2021 on purchase and use of COVID-19 vaccines.

- Circular No. 34/2018/TT-BYT dated 12/11/2018 by the Ministry of Health elaborating some Articles of the Government’s Decree No. 104/2016/ND-CP dated 01/7/2016 on vaccination.

- Circular No. 38/2017/TT-BYT dated 17/10/2017 by the Ministry of Health introducing lists of infectious diseases, scope and recipients of compulsory vaccines and biologicals.

- Letter of the COVAX Facility dated 10/12/2020 on approval for Vietnam's participation in the COVAX Facility and commitment to provide Vietnam with COVID-19 vaccines for 15-16% and up to 20% of Vietnam's population. Letters of the COVAX Facility dated 29/01/2021 and 26/02/2021 on distribution of AstraZenecca vaccines to Vietnam.

III. OBJECTIVES

1. General objective

Proactively prevent COVID-19 by administering COVID-19 vaccines to at-risk persons and communities.

2. Specific objectives

- 95% of at-risk persons and communities receive sufficient vaccine doses in each vaccine distribution period.

- Ensure safe COVID-19 vaccination.

IV. PLAN

1. Rules

- Mobilize all forces, including healthcare facilities nationwide and medical training institutions, to organize the vaccination campaign.

- Organize vaccination immediately after receiving vaccines.

- Ensure high vaccination coverage, safe vaccination and equal access to vaccines for all people.

2. Time

2021 and 2022.

3. Recipients

a) Front-line workers, including:

- Workers of healthcare facilities.

-Participants in COVID-19 prevention and control (members of steering committees for COVID-19 prevention and control at all levels, workers in quarantine areas, persons involved in contact tracing and epidemiological investigation, community COVID teams, volunteers, reporters, etc.).

- The army and police.

b) Vietnamese diplomatic officials and staff seconded overseas; customs staff and officials involved in entry and exit operations.

c) Essential service providers such as aviation, transport, tourism; power supply, water supply, etc.

d) Teachers, workers in educational and training institutions; workers in administrative units and agencies frequently meeting many people.

dd) Persons having chronic illness and persons aged 65 and above.

e) Persons living in infected areas.

g) Poor people and social policy beneficiaries.

h) Persons seconded to work or study abroad by competent authority.

i) Other persons decided by the Ministry of Health according to COVID-19 prevention requirements.

4. Scope of vaccination

Prioritize vaccination for the recipients mentioned in Part 3 in the following areas:

- Infected provinces and cities; in infected provinces and cities, prioritize those in infected areas.

- Provinces and cities having large and highly populated cities and multiple industrial parks.

- Provinces and cities having important transport hubs.

5. Methods for organization

- Vaccination campaign in fixed and mobile vaccination facilities.

- Regular vaccination.

6. Roadmap to implementation

6.1. Phase 1

a) Vaccine source: vaccines purchased from AstraZeneca

b) Vaccine quantity: 117.600 doses

c) Recipients: front-line workers, including:

- Healthcare workers currently treating COVID-19 patients

- Participants in COVID-19 prevention and control (members of steering committees for COVID-19 prevention and control at all levels, workers in quarantine areas, persons involved in contact tracing and epidemiological investigation, community COVID teams, volunteers, reporters and sample collectors).

- The army and police.

d) Scope: 13 infected provinces and cities, namely Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hung Yen, Hoa Binh, Gia Lai, Binh Duong, Dien Bien and Ha Giang.

dd) Timeline: March - April of 2021.

6.2. Following phases will start according to actual vaccine provision schedule. The Ministry of Health shall provide detailed guidance for each phase.

7. Funding

a) Funding from central government budget for the following operations:

- Purchase of vaccines and vaccination materials (syringes, safety boxes, etc.), transport and storage, and improvement of central-level cold chain systems

- Training for provincial level.

- Development of communication messages and launching of communications activities at central level.

b) Funding from local government budget for the following operations:

- Purchase of vaccines (for provinces and cities capable of budget balancing) according to guidelines of the Ministry of Finance.

- Transport and storage of vaccines from central level to local level and at local level.

- Training for district-level medical centers and local vaccination points.

- Syringes, vaccination materials, etc.

- Local communications activities.

- Printing of forms and reports.

- Remuneration for vaccination and inspection and supervision of vaccination.

c) Sponsorship, aid and contributions from Vietnamese and foreign organizations and individuals and other lawful funding sources.

d) Voluntary payment by vaccine recipients.

V. IMPLEMENTATION

1. People's Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities shall allocate funding for and direct vaccination operations in their provinces and cities.

2. Ministries shall cooperate in the following tasks:

- The Ministry of Finance shall allocate funding from central government budget for vaccine purchase, import, receipt, transport and storage and vaccination services according to the Government’s Resolution No. 21/NQ-CP dated 26/02/2021 and cooperate with the Ministry of Health in stipulating prices of COVID-19 vaccination services.

- The Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of National Defense shall organize administration of vaccines to their workers and support the Ministry of Health in administering vaccines to other recipients where necessary.

- The Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport and other ministries shall organize administration of vaccines to their workers or cooperate with the Ministry of Health in this task and support the Ministry of Health where necessary.

3. Units affiliated to the Ministry of Health shall:

- General Department of Preventive Medicine shall take charge and cooperate with relevant units in formulating guidelines for vaccination session organization, including in healthcare facilities; guidelines for monitoring of adverse events following immunization and forms for reporting on vaccine use and adverse events following immunization, and monitoring implementation of approved plans.

- Medical Services Administration shall direct adoption of the Plan in healthcare facilities; cooperate in formulating guidelines for organization of vaccination sessions in healthcare facilities; pre-vaccination screening and handling of adverse events following immunization.

- Drug Administration of Vietnam shall import COVID-19 vaccines, provide guidance and carry out procedures for issuance of the marketing authorization or import license for COVID-19 vaccines as soon as practicable to ensure that vaccines are administered promptly and in compliance with the law and vaccine quality is maintained.

- Administration of Science Technology and Training shall provide guidelines for vaccine safety assessment.

- Health Environment Management Agency shall formulate guidelines for and direct handling of waste from COVID-19 vaccination as per the law.

- Department of Planning and Finance shall advise and submit proposals to the Ministry of Health to ensure funding for activities of COVID-19 vaccination plans; provide governments of provinces and cities with guidelines on funding distribution in their provinces and cities; and determine prices of COVID-19 vaccination services.

- Department of Communication and Emulation, Commendation shall take charge of developing and launching communications activities concerning COVID-19 vaccination.

- Expanded Program on Immunization - National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology shall purchase, receive, store and distribute vaccines, organize vaccination; formulate and launch plans for improvement of cold chain systems at all levels.

- Institutes affiliated to the preventive medicine system shall receive, transport and store vaccines; engage in vaccination training, communication and vaccination monitoring as assigned; and monitor and respond to post-vaccination reactions. National Institute for Control of Vaccines and Biologicals shall inspect vaccine quality promptly and in compliance with approved procedures.

- National Center for Health Communication and Education and press agencies shall cooperate with the Ministry of Health in raising awareness about COVID-19 vaccines and organize monitoring of communications activities.

4. Departments of Health shall formulate and propose detailed vaccination plans to the People's Committees of their provinces and cities for approval, provide resources for implementation of these plans, and give directions and cooperate with relevant units to launch approved plans.

5. Vaccine distributors and importers shall formulate vaccine import, storage and transport plans at the request of the Ministry of Health or Departments of Health; take responsibility for vaccine storage and transport and sufficient vaccine provision according to plans.

6. Central hospitals, provincial general hospitals, provincial CDCs/ preventive medicine centers, district-level preventive medicine centers, district-level hospitals, commune-level medical stations, public and private vaccination facilities as well as mobilized units shall implement plans for receipt, transport, storage, distribution and use of COVID-19 vaccines.

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