The rate of vaccination against COVID-19 low among children aged 5 to 17

This is the opinion of the Ministry of Health when updating statistics on the situation of vaccination against COVID-19 in our country. Specifically, in Binh Duong, the rate of vaccination against COVID-19 is low for children from 5 to under 12 years old and the 3rd dose for the group of 12-17 years old. In the group of children from 5 to under 12 years old, the coverage rate of 1^st dose in Binh Duong is 60.6% of the total number of children, which is lower than the national average coverage rate of 79.6%. While the rate of 1^st dose is low, the coverage rate of 2^nd dose is also not good and even much lower. Statistics show that the province's 2^nd dose coverage rate is only 27.2%, so it is ranked in the top 5 provinces and cities with low rate of vaccination against COVID-19 for children from 5 to under 12 years old. Particularly for the group of 12-17 years old, the province is assessed at the rate of 3rd injection which is lower than the national average (only at 47.1%) but Binh Duong has only achieved the coverage rate of 3^rd dose of 22.7%.

The reason is that schools are on summer break, and people and parents are not interested in taking their children to be vaccinated while there is no document stipulating that the COVID-19 vaccine is a mandatory, so it is very difficult to convey. Motivating people to participate in vaccination, although over time sectors and levels have promoted propaganda and advocacy, has worked in a limited way.

Reported by Hoang Linh – Translated by Vi Bao