The move was made to ensure safety for children when localities nationwide have gradually reopened schools.

The Government had ordered 22 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from Pfizer for this age group as part of the Government's efforts to further increase the already high vaccination coverage.

In a bid to step up the ordered vaccine delivery,  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a phone conversation with Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla last Tuesday, during which the former asked Pfizer to deliver 22 million vaccine doses for children from 5 to under 12 years of age at the earliest and try to complete the contract no later than May this year. Pham also asked Pfizer to regularly share information on development of its new vaccines with Viet Nam, affirming the Government stands ready to create most favorable conditions for Pfizer to cooperate with the Southeast Asian country in pharmacy sector.

Viet Nam has administered 191,667,067 COVID-19 vaccine doses and become one of the six countries with the highest vaccination rate./.