Bokeo, Champassak, Savannakhet accelerate vaccination rollout

With Covid infection rates rising in the northern and southern provinces, health authorities are speeding up the vaccination programme with a focus on Bokeo, Savannakhet and Champassak provinces.
Infections rates have been highest in these areas because of their shared borders with neighbouring countries and the influx of returning migrant workers, many of whom have brought the virus with them.
On Monday, the National Covid-19 Taskforce announced 152 new cases of the virus countrywide, bringing the total to 12,621.
These included Vientiane (15 imported cases and 3 community-acquired cases), Bokeo province (18 community-acquired cases), Luang Namtha (1 community-acquired case), Savannakhet (21 imported cases and 43 community-acquired cases), Champassak (22 imported cases), Saravan (2 imported cases), Khammuan (25 imported cases), Borikhamxay (1 imported case) and Xayaboury (1 imported case).
The Centre of Information and Education for Health under the Ministry of Health reported that, as of August 17, 1,828,039 people across the country had received a first dose of a Covid vaccine while 1,543,746 people have had two doses.
In Bokeo province, 93,884 people have had one vaccination and 86,387 people have had two jabs.
In Savannakhet province, 152,784 people have had one vaccination and 133,063 people have had two.
In Champassak province, 185,793 people have had their first dose of a Covid vaccine while 145,363 people have been given two doses.
Head of the Savannakhet provincial Department of Health, Dr Sengdao Sydalay, told Vientiane Times on Friday the department is working to vaccinate people across the province.
“We have been given 422,180 doses of Covid-19 vaccine. To date, 215,145 people have received their first vaccination, equal to 19.81 percent of the eligible population, and 135,143 people have had two vaccinations, equal to 12.46 percent. We hope to have vaccinated 50 percent of everyone in the province by the end of this year,” Dr Sengdao said.
Head of the Bokeo provincial Department of Health, Dr Bounyaveth Vongkhamxao, said “The department is working with health authorities in many districts of the province to vaccinate people, with a focus on Huayxai district, the provincial capital. Everyone is aware of the need to be vaccinated and many people are coming forward each day.”
“They are confident about the safety of the vaccines because provincial authorities regularly inform the public about vaccination and the quality of each vaccine,” Dr Bounyaveth said.
“They are also aware of the rules in place to prevent the spread of the virus and how to protect themselves. I call on everyone in Laos, especially in Bokeo province, to make sure they get two doses of a vaccine,” he added.

By Visith Teppalath
  (Latest Update August 24, 2021)