Ensuring a successful rollout for major virus vaccination campaign

How do you evaluate the preparations that have been made for a wide vaccination programme in this country?

Dr. Kidong Park, representative of the World Health Organization to Vietnam

On the historic day that Vietnam rolled out the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, we observed the first session, and those involved are well organised – from the way they cared, relayed sufficient information, preparing to administer the vaccine itself, and more besides. It is being carried out well.

I hope this campaign will move quickly to frontline workers so they can all be vaccinated. And the first priority areas are the cities and provinces which have been hit most by the pandemic.

What lessons should Vietnam learn from other countries to ensure safety for the vaccination?

Vaccines have been through very rigorous clinical trials and strict observations for safety and efficacy. Then they are reviewed and given clear approval by the regulatory authority of countries which helped make them. For COVID-19 vaccine, the UK was the first to roll out a mass vaccination programme.

More than 50 national regulatory authorities finally approved so that developing countries could also use it. After a vaccine product is deemed safe, organising the vaccination campaign itself in a safe manner is the key.

After the step of first introducing the vaccine into society, we need to observe what is happening – first after 30 minutes for any immediate reactions, and then after two days of vaccination, to see if there’s any other reaction, and then longer-term monitoring. Taking these steps is vital for all countries and Vietnam will of course do the same.

There have recently been some deaths with a potential causal relationship between the vaccinations and the deaths. What do you think about the risk of something going wrong from the vaccination?

In South Korea, health workers and persons with underlying chronic diseases hospitalised in long-term care facilities were the first group to receive the vaccine as priority. Yes, there have been a few reports of deaths after vaccination among patients in long-term care facilities. There are no such reports among health workers. The investigation conducted last week found no link between the deaths and the vaccine. There is no indication that there is such a relationship between the vaccine and any deaths.

In addition to the first vaccinations, Vietnam is waiting for further delivery of vaccines. When will the COVAX Facility vaccine arrive in Vietnam and how safe will it be?

The COVAX Facility is committed that all developing countries will be provided with sufficient vaccines, enough for 20 per cent of the population by the end of this year. The first round of COVAX confirms 4.1 million doses of vaccine will arrive in Vietnam between now and May, with the first batch of about 1.3 million doses to arrive this month.

During the clinical trial stages, there is rigorous monitoring and observation. There have been no recorded serious side effects or abuses during the clinical trial. We can confirm that it is safe. However, we should remain cautious. Monitoring of any adverse event followings vaccination will continue to be carried out for at least a year, even though I think it’s extremely unlikely there we will see any major side effects from the vaccine.