Warning of new Covid-19 outbreak risk

Update: 08-07-2022 | 11:54:01

In the context that sub-variants BA.4, BA.5 have entered Vietnam, people have a subjective mentality refusing to get the 3rd and 4th Covid-19 vaccine shots while the risk of the new pandemic outbreak is always present. The health sector predicts that in the near future, the Omicron sub-variant may increase new Covid-19 cases.

Cases of sub-variants BA.4, BA.5 reported

Currently, sub-variants Omicron BA.4, BA.5 have penetrated into Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Hieu, Director of Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Director of Binh Duong General Hospital said: “Currently, with the appearance of sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 in Vietnam, it is very likely that Covid-19 will turn to a new page. The main concern is that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is constantly evolving, making it difficult to determine the dangerous nature of variants with increased severity and mortality, especially in vulnerable groups. The European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that BA.4 and BA.5 will become main variants in the U.S, U.K and Europe in the next few weeks because they are highly contagious and evades immunity. BA.4, BA.5 currently account for 52% of total new Covid-19 infections in the US. In Portugal, variant BA.5 accounts for 80% of new Covid-19 cases. And in a densely populated country like India, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 have also begun appearing, prompting the country to increase warnings and take precautions. Sub-variants BA.4, BA.5 have the ability of spread being 12% faster than sub-variant BA.2, which is common in Vietnam. In the coming time, more cases of infection with sub-variants BA.4, BA.5 may be recorded in the community in our country, leading to an increase in the number of cases in the near future."

Vaccination against Covid-19 for children aged at 12 and 17 in Tan Uyen town

Binh Duong is a locality bordering Ho Chi Minh City so far, there have been no cases of sub-variants BA.4, BA.5 recorded. The health sector is also strengthening the surveillance system, responding to the pandemic at all levels, strengthening the booster vaccination for groups at the risk of the pandemic and further communicate so that people are always aware of pandemic prevention and control. Dr. Huynh Minh Chin, Deputy Director of provincial Department of Health said: With the appearance of the sub-variant BA.4 in Ho Chi Minh city, the province’s health sector predicts that in the coming time, cases with sub-variants BA.4, BA.5 may be recorded more in the community, leading to an increase in the number of cases. To control the pandemic, the province is closely monitoring the disease situation. The province is also proactive to set up situations and scenarios to be ready to respond and effectively control the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, the most important goal is to promote the Covid-19 vaccination drive, giving booster shots to people, especially high-risk groups.

Immunity from Covid-19 vaccine decreasing over time

The Covid-19 vaccine is an effective measure to prevent the pandemic, but the results of the vaccination are still not guaranteed under the direction of the Government and the Prime Minister. Although the health sector has allocated enough vaccines to localities, fully issued guidelines on vaccination, promoted propaganda on the mass media, giving the 3rd Covid-19 vaccine shots for people aged at 18 and above, the 4th shots for those at high risk, and injection for children has faced many difficulties. In the context that sub-variants BA.4, BA.5 have entered Vietnam, people have a subjective mentality refusing to get the 3rd and 4^th Covid-19 vaccine shots while the risk of a new Covid-19 outbreak is always present. Speaking at the 15th meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen who has been assigned to take charge of the operation of the Health Ministry said: “The pace of vaccination against Covid-19, especially the 3rd and 4th injections for people over 18 years and children from 5 to under 12 is still slow. This prolonged situation may lead to the risk of expiration for vaccines and they must be canceled if their reception is not accelerated in the near future. The protective effect of the Covid-19 vaccine will decline over time, about 4-6 months.

“According to the World Health Organization, current vaccines all provide protection against Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. Antibodies generated in the Covid-19 vaccine reduce the risk of infection; prevent severe symptoms, hospitalization, and death. A study outside South Africa showed that in unvaccinated people, antibody levels dropped eightfold when being infected with BA.4 and BA.5. In vaccinated people, the amount of neutralizing antibodies decreased only 3 times. Covid-19 vaccine is an important shield to protect people's health against SARS-CoV-2 strains. When injecting the 3rd and 4th doses, the Covid-19 vaccine will strengthen immunity and prevent sub-variants. If being infected with Covid-19, people will also be milder after the booster injections", added Assoc. Prof.-Dr. Nguyen Lan Hieu. Currently, the slow deployment of Covid-19 vaccine has many causes and may lead to the risk of a new outbreak. The health sector recommends that people need to get vaccine against Covid-19 when being indicated. The elderly people or those with underlying diseases need to get the 4th dose (2nd booster) when 4 months have passed since getting the 3rd dose.

According to provincial Center for Disease Control, the province has so far had more than 94,000 people aged at 18 and above receiving the fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine. However, this is only the figure input by localities on the Covid-19 vaccination management software system. The actual data is much higher. Of the 9 localities that have administered the fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine, Tan Uyen town achieved a plan at the high level with more than 17,400 people injected. It was followed by Ben Cat town with more than 14,000 people injected and Thuan An city with more than 13,000 people injected.

To implement measures to prevent sub-variants Omicron BA.4, BA.5, ensuring the "dual goals", Nguyen Loc Ha, member of provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice-Chairman of provincial People's Committee said: “Provincial People's Committee has directed the health sector and the People's Committees of localities, especially at the commune level, agencies and businesses... to continue reviewing and perfecting scenarios and plans to be ready to respond to the situations of Covid-19 epidemic, especially the sub-variants Omicron BA.4, BA.5 under the motto of "3 first, 4 on-site things". Sectors and localities set up specific plans, continue further improving the capacity of the health system, especially grass-roots healthcare, fully prepare drugs, medical supplies and equipment, and have plans to mobilize and supplement medical personnel when situations arise.

Reported by Kim Ha-Translated by Kim Tin

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Warning of new Covid-19 outbreak risk

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