Công văn 10722/BYT-DP

In order to improve immunity against COVID-19 for individuals who have received their primary doses, according to the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) of World Health Organization (WHO) and vaccine experience of other countries, the Ministry of Health hereby requests:

1. Departments of Health of provinces, cities, and entities shall:

a) Immediately boost COVID-19 immunization progress by ensuring that 100% of the population from the age of 12 have received their first dose in 2021and administering second dose to individuals who have passed the required interval after receiving the first dose. For areas where high vaccination coverage is reached, review carefully, organize vaccination for those who have not been vaccinated, and ensure that all eligible individuals are adequately vaccinated.

b) Administer additional COVID-19 vaccine doses

- Target: individuals at 18 years of age or older, ensure vaccine coverage for individuals at 50 years of age or older who have received adequate primary doses (1 or 2 or 3 shots depending on types of vaccine), including:

+ Individuals suffering from moderate and severe immunodeficiency such as individuals who receive organ transplant, or individuals who suffer from cancer or HIV, or individuals who are or have received immunosuppressant in the past 6 months, etc.;

+ Individuals who have received all primary doses of vaccine produced by Sinopharm or Sputnik V vaccine.

- Types of vaccine: sharing the same type with the primary dose or mRNA vaccines.

- Interval: Administer 1 additional dose after 28 days to 3 months from the date on which the last primary dose is administered.

For individuals who are recommended to receive additional doses, they shall be considered completing the primary dose after receiving the additional doses.

c) Administer COVID-19 booster shot

- Targets: individuals at 18 years of age or older who have adequately received primary doses or additional doses, individuals who have underlying medical conditions, individuals who require prolonged medical treatment at medical facilities, individuals at 50 years of age or older, individuals testing, caring, treating COVID-19, and medical personnel.

- Types of vaccine: if both primary and additional shots are of the same type of vaccine, the booster shot shall be of the same vaccine or mRNA vaccine; if previous shots are of different types of vaccine, the booster shot shall be of mRNA vaccine. If primary dose or additional doses are of Sinopharms’s vaccines, may administer booster shot using the same vaccine or mRNA vaccine or viral vector vaccines (Astrazeneca Vaccine).

- Interval: administer 1 booster shoot at least 3 months after the last primary dose is administered.

d) Vaccine for additional and booster shots: Vaccines approved by Ministry of Health.

dd) Doses of vaccine for additional and booster shots: Conforming to instructions of manufacturers approved by Ministry of Health.

e) For individuals who have contracted COVID-19, vaccinate immediately after recovery and completion of medical quarantine as per the law.

2. Implementation:

- Departments of Health shall advice Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces to decide on appropriate vaccination targets depending on practical situations and epidemic prevention, prepare plans and conditions for implementing additional, booster shots from December 21 based on level of vaccine supply.

- Health Department, Ministry of Public Security, Department of Military Medical, General Department of Logistics, and Ministry of National Defense shall advice heads of their respective ministries to decide on appropriate vaccination targets and develop plans, prepare conditions for administering additional and booster shots from December 20 21 based on level of vaccine supply.

- Epidemiology Institutes, Pasteur Institutes shall guide and provide technical assistance for provinces in implementing vaccination.

This Official Dispatch replaces Official Dispatch No. 10225/BYT-DP dated December 1, 2021 of Ministry of Health on administering of additional and booster COVID-19 shots.

For your implementation.