PM requests urgent pandemic prevention plan to deal with Omicron variant

The Government Office has just issued Document No.8749, dated November 30, conveying the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on strengthening the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facing the complicated developments of the pandemic caused by the Omicron variant in the world, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that the minister of health promptly prepare plans on vaccines, therapeutic drugs and anti-pandemic measures in accordance with the new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The health sector should direct localities, especially Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces, to strengthen pandemic prevention and control measures, speed up the vaccination schedule, and strengthen medical forces, supplies and equipment for localities with complicated pandemic developments. Localities also need to proactively implement appropriate measures to treat new cases early so as to limit the occurrence of serious illness and death.

The Health Ministry was also asked to direct and create favourable conditions for organisations and units to urgently import and produce drugs to treat COVID-19 while promoting the domestic testing, technology transfer, and production of vaccines and drugs for COVID-19 treatment.

Previously, the Government Office issued Document No. 8706 on the evening of November 29, conveying the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the control of Omicron - the new strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus.