Proposing urgent vaccination for retail workers

Supermarkets, convenience stores, and traditional markets urge to get their workers priority for vaccination due to the high risk of infection

On June 4, Central Retail in Vietnam donated VND5 billion ($217,085) to source and procure vaccines for its employees. The amount is deducted from the donation of VND10 billion ($434,170) to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee to respond to the government’s call for contributions to speed up the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Another donation of VND5 billion ($217,085) would be contributed to the National COVID-19 Vaccine Fund.

Olivier Bernard Langlet, CEO of Central Retail in Vietnam expressed that the donation commits to its vision of contributing to Vietnam’s prosperity and enhancing the quality of life of the people.

Do Thang Hai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade has just signed Official Dispatch No.3150/CV-BCT recommending the prime minister to give priority to vaccination against COVID-19 for employees at the retail distribution system.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that adding retail workers to the priority list for vaccination would protect those at a high risk of infection. Because this is a group that has to deal with millions of customers every day while maintaining the supply of essential goods to serve people at all levels.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade requested the health sector to assist in sourcing vaccines, guide import procedures, and organise injections for workers at retail distribution businesses that need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 pandemic using the financial resources of the businesses.

Earlier, many associations and businesses in the manufacturing fields such as textiles, apparel, footwear, seafood, or electronics also wanted to be prioritised for vaccination because most of them are businesses with a large number of employees in industrial zones.

Le Tien Truong, chairman of Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) said that many textile and garment businesses have signed orders until the end of the year. If the company cannot guarantee workforce for production and delivery on time, businesses will be fined for cancelling orders, causing billions of dollars worth of damage to the whole industry. He highlighted the need for these employees to receive priority in accessing vaccines, especially businesses in high-risk localities such as Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi.

"Vinatex businesses are willing to pay to vaccinate their workers. As calculated, businesses under Vinatex will spend VND100 to 200 billion ($4.35 to 8.7 million) to vaccinate their workers,” he added.

In a document recently sent to the prime minister, the Private Sector Development Research Board (IV Board) also proposed to allow businesses to organise COVID-19 vaccination for employees according to the instructions and safety requirements of the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The IV Board also proposed allowing private businesses and organisations to actively negotiate buying vaccines with global suppliers, based on the list of vaccines accepted by the Ministry of Health. Besides, the vaccination force should also be considered and expanded to meet the requirements of mass and large-scale vaccination by mobilising not only vaccination facilities but also qualified hospitals and medical centres according to the regulations of the MoH.