Vietnam ready for vaccination campaign for children aged five to 11

The Ministry of Health is outlying procedures to immunise children aged five to 11 against COVID-19 in line with recommendations made by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Vietnam will purchase 21.9 million doses of the Pfizer vacccine to immunize children aged 5-11.

Vietnam will purchase 21.9 million doses of the Pfizer vacccine to immunize children aged 5-11.

The Ministry’s Health Strategy and Policy Institute has recently conducted an online poll that indicates 60.6% of parents with children under 12 agreed with the need to inoculate their children against COVID-19. Roughly 29.1% of the respondents said they were considering the plan, whilst just 1.9% of polled parents said they did not agree.

According to Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan, head of the General Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health, if vaccinated children aged five to 11 years old show fewer symptoms and milder symptoms than adults in the event that they are infected.

“Vaccination for children is of great significance as it helps limit infection and reduce transmission of the virus to family members, especially those at high risk,” said Lan, pointing out that infection is more common among unvaccinated children.

Furthermore, he said the Pfizer vaccine that will be used for child immunisation has been approved by the WHO and the Food and Drug Administration of the United States, as well as the European Medicines Agency.

The vaccine will therefore be given to children in this age group via two injections, at an interval of eight weeks apart. Each jab contains 10 micrograms of the COVID-19 vaccine, one third of the dose given to those aged 12 and older.

Pfizer reported last year that clinical trials of its vaccine in more than 2,000 children aged five to 11 showed the vaccine was “safe, well tolerated” and “it showed robust neutralising antibody responses.”

More than 40 countries worldwide have now approved the vaccine for children aged five to 11, with three quarters of them having carried out the vaccination plan.

“Vaccination against COVID-19 for children aged five to 11 will help children to be more confident when they engage in other activities, such as attending school or participating in outdoor activities,” said Prof. Dr. Lan.

Official data released by the Ministry of Health indicate that more than 95% of students between the ages of 12 and 18 have received their first jab, with 88.5% having now received their second jab.

The Ministry of Health is detailing procedures for COVID-19 vaccination of children aged five to 11 to ensure physical learning will be safe as soon as they return to school after months of online learning due to the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, said Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long. 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has granted approval to the Ministry of Health’s proposal to purchase 21.9 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to inoculate children in this age group. The PM requested that the Ministries of Health and Education work closely together to ensure the vaccination campaign will take place in a safe and effective manner.

VOV

Other News

Hanoi to provide free textbooks from 2026–2027 school year

Hanoi to provide free textbooks from 2026–2027 school year

The municipal Department of Education and Training will work with the Department of Finance to guide wards, communes and educational institutions in implementing the student support policies adopted by central authorities and the municipal People’s Council.

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

The Vietnamese team won one Champion title, four First Runner-up awards, three Second Runner-up awards, 42 gold medals, 83 silver medals, 70 bronze medals and two consolation prizes at the 2026 International Finals of the Asia International Mathematical Olympiad Open Contest (AIMO) held in Hanoi on August 2-5.

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong said alongside foreign investment and the green economy, science – technology, innovation, the digital economy and digital transformation are the new drivers that can can pack a serious second-half punch.

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

From a country where more than 50% of the population lived below the poverty line in the early 1990s, Vietnam has reduced its poverty rate to just 2.95% today. This achievement reflects not only the effectiveness of socio-economic development policies, but also Vietnam’s ability to translate growth into tangible opportunities for its people, steadily realizing inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Backed by more than 4.2 billion VND (161,000 USD) from the State budget, the programme aims to strengthen children's Vietnamese communication skills before they begin primary school, helping them integrate more smoothly into the classroom and improve learning outcomes from the outset.

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Across Ha Tinh and Nghe An, maintenance teams conduct inspections day and night, using thermal cameras and drones to detect potential faults without interrupting electricity supply. Their work helps ensure stable power supply for businesses as the region accelerates development in line with the Government's economic growth targets.

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

The Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and its labour management board are actively implementing citizen protection measures and maintaining close contact with relevant organisations and companies employing Vietnamese workers in the affected areas to monitor the situation.

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

A key task is to formulate a support scheme for low-income residents to replace ageing motorcycles and mopeds that fail to meet emission standards and pose a high risk of pollution. It will also propose funding to provide free first-time emission testing for motorcycles and mopeds across the city.

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

The committee commended Vietnam for fulfilling the commitments it has made since the citadel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, as well as for implementing recommendations from the committee and its advisory bodies. It also praised the country's efforts to preserve the site's cultural, historical and social values, transforming the imperial citadel into a space for public engagement, cultural exchange and historical education. The committee further welcomed the long-term vision as an important basis for the proposed restoration of Kinh Thien Palace in line with the approved conservation strategy.

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

At about 10:15 pm on July 20, officers from the Operations Division of the Nghe An Border Guard Command and the Nam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Station, in coordination with customs officers at the Nam Can International Border Gate, caught a resident of Tan Tien hamlet, Chieu Luu commune, Nghe An province, allegedly transporting narcotics in Tien Tieu hamlet, Nam Can commune.