Vaccination rollout breaches social distancing rules

People in some areas of Vientiane are still failing to comply with the rules on social distancing, an official with the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has said.
The official, who works for the Ministry of Health, told reporters that health authorities are concerned about the spread of the virus in Vientiane.

Part of the problem is that large numbers of people are turning up at district hospitals and health centres to have vaccinations as the immunisation programme speeds up.
Social distancing is essential to keep the virus in check but is not being observed at vaccine distribution centres in the capital.
The ministry has called on health officials and local authorities across the country to organise vaccination sessions in compliance with Covid rules and to ensure that these take place safely so that people do not crowd together, as is happening at present.
Social distancing and the wearing of face masks is essential and should not be neglected, as this negates efforts to stop the spread of the virus, the official said.
He said the health ministry may review the way vaccinations are administered in Vientiane to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
As of June 15, some 719,562 people had received their first dose of a vaccine, while had 414,785 been given a second dose, according to the Ministry of Health.
The latest delivery of Sinopharm and Pfizer vaccines will boost the government’s efforts to vaccinate 50 percent of the population (more than 3 million people) by the end of this year.
The vaccination programme has been expanded to cover more target groups in addition to health workers.
The government is encouraging businesses to support the vaccination programme by paying for vaccines to inoculate their employees, which some companies have already done.
The government is also partnering with China to buy Chinese-made vaccines for use by businesses. In addition, authorities are coordinating with Unicef to help businesses buy vaccines through the COVAX Facility.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update June 17, 2021)