Vietnam PM calls for Covid-19 vaccine mandate

At a meeting with the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Chinh said authorities must convince people to get vaccinated by all means.

Punishments for those who refuse to be vaccinated despite being eligible to do so. For example, they could be banned from leaving home, or required to pay for their own treatment if they are infected.

The goal is a safe adaptation to the pandemic, with a focus on reducing community transmission, severe cases and deaths, Chinh said.

He said the Ministry of Health would be responsible for making sure there are enough vaccine doses for the population. Localities which cannot reach vaccination targets will be held accountable, he added.

Chinh set the targets of giving the second shots to all adults by the end of the year, and to all children aged 12-17 in January 2022.

The third Covid-19 vaccine shots should be given to all adults by January 2022, he said, asking authorities to research on vaccination for children aged 5 and above.

As of December 14, Vietnam has received around 169 million Covid-19 vaccine doses from multiple sources. Around 135 million shots have been given.

Around 97 percent of the adult population has received at least one Covid-19 vaccine shots, while 80 percent have received two.