Almost 70 Percent Of Population Have Had First Covid Jab

Source: Vientiane Times

A total of 5,940,724 people had received a first dose of a Covid vaccine, equal to 69.43 percent of the population, by March 6, the Director General of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Dr Phonepaseuth Ounaphom, has said.

Dr Phonepaseuth also said 4,360,237 people had been given a second dose of a Covid vaccine, equal to 59.42 percent of the population, with 79.5 percent of children aged 12 now vaccinated.

In addition, 953,825 people have had a booster dose, equal to 13 percent of the population.

In the 6-11 age group, 181,607 children, equalling 19 percent of this group, have had a first vaccination since the children’s Covid-19 immunisation programme began just one week ago.

In the 12-17 age group, 580,871 children have had one vaccination, equal to 67.1 percent, and 429,552 have had a second jab, equal to 49.6 percent of this group.

The focus of the vaccination rollout is now on children because they are at high risk of picking up the virus and infecting their family and their friends at school.

If all children can be fully vaccinated, it will make schools safer and reduce the risk of virus transmission to families, parents and caregivers.

The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control is also focusing on vaccinating older people, those with an existing illness, pregnant women, and staff and service providers in offices.

The provinces of Huaphan, Xieng Khuang, Oudomxay, Savannakhet and Xaysomboun began an extensive vaccination rollout on February 21, while other provinces began immunisation on March 4.

Provincial taskforces for Covid-19 prevention and control have advised parents to take their children for vaccinations at district hospitals, village offices and service centres near their homes.