Simultaneously vaccinating against Covid-19 for children aged 13-14

On November 10 and 11, more than 26,700 students of the 9^th grade (14 years old) in the whole province and more than 12,600 students of the 8^th grade  (13 years old) in Thu Dau Mot city, Ben Cat town and Tan Uyen town got vaccinated against Covid-19. At 128 injection sites held yesterday (November 10), the vaccination was carried out safely. To date, there have been no cases of severe reactions after vaccination

Good preparation

Present at the injection site of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Secondary School in Thu Dau Mot city’s Phu Tho ward, on the morning of November 10, reporters noticed that the implementation of Covid-19 vaccination for more than 800 students of the 8^th and 9^th grades here was done quite well by the units under the set plan. Vaccination points were arranged on the one-way principle. Especially, the units arranged a section for resuscitation - emergency to promptly handle cases of severe reactions after injection. Pre-injection screening was strictly and fully implemented in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Health. Previously, health workers were also trained to give Covid-19 vaccines to children aged 12 to 17 to ensure safety, effectiveness and not to waste vaccines.

Medical workers give Covid-19 vaccine to the 8^th and 9^th graders at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Secondary School in Thu Dau Mot city’s Phu Tho ward

Tu Quoc Thanh, Principal of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Secondary School said: “For the vaccination plan taking place safely and thoughtfully, the school has mobilized all teachers and staff to support the vaccination work; informed students of all classes to go to school for vaccinations at different time frames to avoid crowds, keep a safe distance for Covid-19 prevention and control. The school has also proactively prepared screening and immunization consent forms from parents in advance for students to fill in all information at home. Therefore, vaccination at the school is quite convenient, fast and safe. As of now, the school has not recorded any cases of severe reactions after injection.

Whilst, Tan Phuoc Khanh Secondary School in Tan Uyen town also coordinated with units to give Covid-19 vaccination for more than 1,100 students of the 8^th and 9^th  grades in this round. The school cooperated with medical staff to arrange an one-way aisle. Students arriving at the injection site had their body temperature checked and were guided to the injection waiting area. After that, they were carefully screened before being injected. After the injection, they returned to the health monitoring area for about 30 minutes and then went home.

No serious reactions after injection recorded

To promote effective and safe vaccination for children, the province has used its existing expanded immunization system. The health centers of districts, towns and cities are the focal points for the implementation of the local Covid-19 vaccination plan. According to information from provincial Department of Health, during this injection round, the whole province will conduct vaccination against Covid-19 for more than 39,401 students, including 26,746 students of the 9th grade and 12,655 students of the 8^th grade with 39,401 doses of Pfizer vaccine expected to be injected. Especially, the 8th graders in Thu Dau Mot city, Ben Cat town and Tan Uyen town will be injected first. The local health sector is expected to complete the first shot for students within 2 days (November 10 and 11) and conduct vaccination for the remaining students with underlying diseases. Accordingly, the number of Pfizer vaccines distributed by the province in this round includes: 1,586 doses in Phu Giao district, 1,242 doses in Bau Bang district, 791 doses in North Tan Uyen district, 1,583 doses in Dau Tieng district, 6,989 doses in Ben Cat town, and 6,989 doses in Ho Chi Minh city, 5,468 doses in Di An, 6,697 doses in Tan Uyen town, 4,973 doses in Thuan An city, 39,401 doses in Thu Dau Mot city.

Dr.Nguyen Hong Chuong, Director of provincial Department of Health said that so far, the department has not recorded any cases of children under 18 years with severe reactions after being vaccinated against Covid-19 in localities. Previously, the whole province had administered 76,192 doses of Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19 on children aged 15-17 years old and had not recorded any cases of severe reactions after injection. Dr. Nguyen Hong Chuong also added that nearly 40 countries around the world have conducted vaccination against Covid-19 with Pfizer vaccine for children under 18 years old. Recording reactions after injection are very safe for children.

After receiving Covid-19 vaccine, children may experience symptoms such as: Pain and swelling at the injection site, body fatigue, chill, nausea. These are normal reactions to any vaccine. Parents can relieve pain for children by applying a clean, cool and wet towel to the injection site, with gentle arm movements. Parents need to let their children drink a lot of water, eat fruit, monitor their children 24 hours after vaccination and immediately contact the nearest medical facility for support if they have abnormal reactions. Children are vaccinated, but parents also need to further remind their children to strictly follow the "5K" message of the Ministry of Health to protect the health of themselves, their families and community against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr.Nguyen Hong Chuong, Director of provincial Department of Health said that so far, the department has not recorded any cases of children under 18 years with severe reactions after being vaccinated against Covid-19 in localities. Previously, the whole province had administered 76,192 doses of Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19 on children aged 15-17 years old and had not recorded any cases of severe reactions after injection.

Reported by Hoang Linh-Translated by Kim Tin