The Covid-19 epidemic is receding, the vaccine coverage rate increases, all activities have returned to normal, the Ministry of Health proposes V2K (vaccine – mask – disinfection) instead of 5K
The number of cases and deaths has decreased
Hanoi is the locality that has recorded the highest number of cases in the country, but nearly a week ago, the number of new Covid-19 cases per day were under 200. In Ho Chi Minh City, for the past few days, the number of cases has been less than 35 cases/day. Dozens of other provinces and cities have no more than 10 cases/day.
In Can Tho City alone, there were no new cases for many days. According to the Department of Health of Can Tho City, at present, the case tracing has stopped, the local health sector focuses on increasing the vaccination of Covid-19 vaccines with doses 3 and 4 for people and those receiving injections are children from 5 to under 12 years old.
Talking about the situation of the Covid-19 epidemic in Ho Chi Minh City, Associate Professor-Doctor Do Van Dung, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the city did not record many cases that could be caused by the disease. People have adapted, proactive to the disease and do not report it. Besides, Assoc. Prof. Do Van Dung said that the city already has community immunity, however, it is not sustainable without a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
V2K is suitable for the current situation
Before the change in the level of the epidemic, Associate Professor-Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Deputy Minister of Health, said that the ministry is consulting the draft on changing the 5K recommendation (mask – disinfection – distance – no gathering – medical declaration) by V2K recommendation (vaccine – disinfection – mask).
Agreeing with this proposal, Assoc. Prof-Dr. Tran Dac Phu, former Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine – Ministry of Health, said that the application of V2K recommendations is suitable for the context of the current Covid-19 epidemic. Although it is not mandatory to wear masks and disinfect, the health sector should encourage people to practice and form good personal hygiene habits because it can prevent many infectious diseases transmitted through respiratory and digestive tract. other” – Associate Professor Tran Dac Phu recommended.
Wearing a mask in public – a good habit not only to prevent Covid-19 but many other respiratory diseases. Photo: HOANG TRIEU
Sharing the same opinion, Assoc. Prof. Do Van Dung said that now that the epidemic has been well controlled, it is not necessary to force people to strictly prevent epidemics anymore. In fact, most people have formed the habit of wearing masks in public places. “However, it should be emphasized that it is not mandatory, but what is beneficial should still be done. Avoid misleading people that these measures are not beneficial” – Assoc.
Loosen up, don’t let loose
Recently, at the 3rd session of the 15th National Assembly, Assoc. Prof-Dr. Nguyen Lan Hieu, Director of Hanoi Medical University Hospital, said that Covid-19 has turned into a receding stage. Currently, there are 3 indicators that need to be closely monitored: new strains; sudden spread of disease in the community; the patient’s condition worsened. “If these indicators arise problems that need attention, the state management agency will change the anti-epidemic status. Thus, we do not sit and wait for the development of Covid-19 but proactively react flexibly. It’s time to return to the “old normal” to aim for two goals: serving the roadmap to reopening the economy and avoiding overloading the health system,” said Mr. Hieu.
A representative of the Department of Preventive Medicine said that the Ministry of Health is currently monitoring the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the epidemic situation in other countries. To date, no country in the world has declared Covid-19 as an endemic disease. The Prime Minister still requires not to be subjective, to be negligent and to raise vigilance against the Covid-19 epidemic.
Based on the WHO plan, referring to the response plans of some countries and the reality of the epidemic situation in Vietnam, The Ministry of Health has developed 2 Covid-19 epidemic scenarios in the transition period from pandemic prevention to sustainable management to respond to the epidemic when there is a new dangerous strain or the epidemic is circulating normally. With both of these situations, the Ministry of Health emphasized that vaccines are an important measure to reduce the risk of severe disease and death. Therefore, vaccines must be covered in all groups, especially vulnerable and high-risk groups.
Vaccine inequity: The barrier to community immunity?
According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) – the US, along with other states and the federal government, have gradually considered Covid-19 as an endemic virus based on factors: decreasing cases; the rate of hospitalization decreased; rich source of vaccines, treatments and rapid tests.
However, one of the most important factors to be able to consider Covid-19 as an endemic disease, in addition to the gradual “pure” of the virus, is community immunity built sustainably through vaccines. This is not something the whole world can achieve.
At the most recent WHO press conference on June 8, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized: “The perception that the pandemic is over is understandable but misleading. More than 7,000 people have lost their lives due to the virus this last week”.
According to the head of WHO, nearly 18 months after the first Covid-19 vaccine was used, 68 countries still have not achieved 40% coverage. The global supply of vaccines is adequate, but the countries with the lowest vaccination rates are lacking.
At the end of May 2022, the COVAX Vaccine Alliance also issued a call for vaccine equity and raised the paradox: young, healthy people in rich countries receive booster shots, while many others at risk, including healthcare workers in low-income countries, have not yet had the first shot!
A.Thu
