Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (center) chairs a meeting to review the implementation of Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP adopting provisional guidelines on safe adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ha Noi, November 20, 2021 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The meeting, held in form of teleconference, was attended by Deputy Prime Ministers Le Minh Khai, Vu Duc Dam, and Le Van Thanh, Minister of Public Security To Lam, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang, and leaders from 63 localities nationwide.

According to the report of the Ministry of Health, Viet Nam confirmed 105,543 domestic cases over the past month since the Resolution was adopted, an increase of 2.9 percent against the previous month.

Meanwhile, the numbers of coronavirus-related deaths, patients treated at hospitals and critically ill patients witnessed fell by 46.3 percent, 25.3 percent and 40.8 percent, respectively.

As of November 19, 2021, Viet Nam received 131.2 million vaccine doses, of which 106 million doses were administered, with 89.4 percent of people aged 18 and older receiving the first jabs and more than 53.4 percent of the eligible population having been fully vaccinated.

Eighteen localities are rolling out vaccination program for teenagers aged from 12-17, said the ministry.

Speaking at the meeting, PM Pham said the pandemic situation has been put under control across the nation while recovery has been remarkable over the past month.

The Government chief tasked inferior levels to take effective measures to minimize the number of critically ill patients and fatalities, and finalize and submit a new strategy for COVID-19 prevention and control before November 30.

Pending the adoption of the new strategy, Pham ordered localities to synchronously implement the Resolution No. 128 and support each other to quickly suppress new outbreaks.

The Ministry of Health was asked to coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training and localities to step up vaccine rollout for children in a bid to soon reopen schools.

Pham also tasked the Ministry of Health to prepare for giving booster shots for those who have taken two doses.

Thanks to fast vaccination speed, especially among high-risk groups and urban residents, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control agreed in September to switch away from “Zero COVID-19” to safe adaptation to the pandemic strategy.