Health

In a communication to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday, it said for Covid to be considered a common illness, it needs to meet certain criteria like occurring in a specific population group or area and incidence being stable and predictable.

However, in most countries, the number of infections has been fluctuating and the trajectory of infections changes every time there is a new variant of the novel coronavirus.

The new variants constantly appear as immunity, built up either via vaccination or infection, is not stable and decreases over time, the ministry said.

As a result, the disease could flare up again, it said.

In March the PM had instructed the ministry to evaluate the degree of protection antibodies provide against the coronavirus.

Covid has been under control across the country, but the number of cases increased again recently and there are still deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday that Vietnam is among the top four countries in terms of number of cases.

It has been recording over 571,000 new cases the past week, only behind South Korea (713,000 cases), the U.S. (760,000) and Japan (1.4 million cases), WHO said.

To declare the end of Covid-19 as a pandemic, several conditions need to be met, including “detecting no new cases for 28 days in a row” the ministry said.

If Vietnam does make such a declaration, special mechanisms would not be imposed if a new and more dangerous variant appears, it pointed out.

Then Covid patients would stop getting free treatment, including those living in remote areas without easy access to medical services, and medical workers would not get special allowances. There would be no specific mechanisms for emergency use of vaccines.

Maintaining the current status ensures focus and mobilization of all available resources to fight the pandemic, the ministry said.

“Vietnam has basically met the necessary conditions for the transition from pandemic prevention to sustainable management, but still needs to be alert to new variants of the virus.”

Vietnam has among the highest vaccine coverage rates in the world with 247 million vaccine doses given to its 79.4 million people.

Since April the ministry has expanded the vaccination to cover children aged five and upward. Those aged 12 and above are being given booster shots and a fourth dose is highly recommended for high-risk adults.

The ministry also wants to keep Covid-19 in group A, which comprises dangerous infectious diseases with the ability to spread quickly and widely, and have a high mortality rate or an unknown causative agent.

Some others in this group include influenza A – H5N1, plague, smallpox, dengue fever, and cholera.

So far no country has declared Covid a common illness.

Some have fixed criteria to consider it an endemic disease, including low mortality, reduced rate of severe cases requiring hospitalization, and high vaccine coverage of various age groups, especially high-risk populations.

In March WHO released an updated plan with key strategies to allow the world to end the emergency phase of the pandemic if implemented within this year.

They include vaccinating 70 percent of the world against Covid.

As of August 9 some 62.8 percent were fully vaccinated with at least two doses.

The Ministry of Health will continue to follow recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO), experience from other countries and will determine whether to vaccinate children under 5 against Covid-19 or not based on science.

A vaccine expert said the decision stemmed from the fact that there is not yet enough scientific basis and evidence on Covid-19 vaccination for children under 5.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said in June that Pfizer and Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccines can be used on children under 5. But a New York Times survey revealed 43% of parents with children under 5 would not let their children be vaccinated against Covid-19, 27% would “wait”, and 13% comply on request.

Their main concerns were the vaccines’ side effects, their novelty and what they perceived as the lack of sufficient research.

As of Wednesday, Vietnam has administered over 249 million Covid-19 vaccine shots, with all children aged 12-17 having received at least two, and 40% three. A total 73% of children aged 5-11 have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot, and 41%, two.

AN amber heatwave warning has been extended as the Met Office predicts temperatures could rise to 35C this week.

The warning took hold from midday today and will be in place through to 11pm on Sunday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

The UKHSA extended the warning this afternoon after it had originally been in place until Saturday.

While temperatures won’t reach the record highs seen last month , medics are still urging people to heed caution in the hot weather.

It was also revealed today that Thames Water could announce a hose-pipe ban in the coming weeks in the face of long periods of hot weather.

The Met Office warned that there are some warm nights on the horizon.

Official guidance states that some parts will see temperatures in the low 30s with many places being in the high 20s.

Met Office chiefs said temperatures could peak at 35C, or even an isolated 36C in some areas on Saturday.

The level 3 heat-health alert applies to all of England, but isn’t as severe as last month’s level 4 alert.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA said temperatures will feel warm again this week, particularly in southern and central parts of the country.

“We want everyone to enjoy the warm weather safely when it arrives but remember that heat can have a fast impact on health.

“It’s important to ensure that people who are more vulnerable – elderly people who live alone and people with underlying health conditions – are prepared for coping during the hot weather.

“The most important advice is to ensure they stay hydrated, keep cool and take steps to prevent their homes from overheating,” Dr Sousa added.

The experts at the UKHSA said that high temperatures also present a risk to wildfire – especially after long, dry periods.

They added that people with pre-existing hear t and lung conditions such as asthma are most susceptible as breathing wildfire smoke may worsen their symptoms.

Children and older people may also be susceptible to health impacts, experts warned.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Tony Wardle, said: “Heatwave criteria look likely to be met for large areas of the UK later this week, with the hottest areas expected in central and southern England and Wales on Friday and Saturday.

“Temperatures could peak at 35C, or even an isolated 36C on Saturday.

“Coupled with the high daytime temperatures will be continued warm nights, with the mercury expected to drop to only around low 20s Celsius for some areas in the south.”

Medics state that during periods of hot weather, it’s key to look out for yourself and those around you.

Guidance states that you should always travel with water and avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day, between 11am and 3pm.

You should also drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol and wear sunscreen if you have to go out in the heat.