About 68 Per Cent of Population to Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19 in 2021, 2022

All citizens over the age of 18, 67.9 per cent of Myanmar’s population, are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021 and 2022, said Dr Htar Htar Lin, Director of the Central Expanded Programme on Immunization. She made the remark in the fourth coordination meeting of the COVAX National Coordinating Committee – CNCC.

The virtual meeting of the CNCC was held yesterday morning via videoconferencing.

During the meeting, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe said that officials of the Ministry of Health and Sports and members of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group – NITAG are working collaboratively to draft a detailed plan for the COVID-19 vaccination programme, and the drafting process has reached the final stage.

The detailed plan will be submitted to the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as soon as possible to seek approval.

The Union Minister said that when they decide a priority population group for the vaccination programme and draft the detailed plan, they take into accounts of suggestions from the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the World Health Organization, “Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance”, and the NITAG.

The Union Minister also highlighted the need to systematically identify vaccination sites. He said that all stakeholders need to educate the general public about side effects of the vaccines and other necessary instructions.

In case of severe side effects after vaccinations, health officials need to respond to the situations systematically and promptly, said the Union Minister.
He said that effective transports of the vaccines and good management will be the most important factors for the success of COVID-19 vaccination programme. He also pointed out that efficient arrangements need to be made to respond immediately to unforeseen circumstances likely to be caused by changes in various situations.

Dr Htar Htar Lin said that when COVID-19 vaccines are limited quantities, higher priority must be given to those who have the highest risk of contracting the disease.

Dr San Hone, Director (Health Management Information System) said that Master Patient Index Software and DHIS 2 Software will be used in preparation for the COVID-19 vaccination programme. — MNA (Translated by Maung Maung Swe)