Covid-19 yet to reach endemic status: health ministry

The Ministry of Health on Monday proposed to continue considering Covid-19 a Group A infectious disease, or a specially dangerous and highly transmission illness with high mortality rate, rather than an endemic affliction.

According to the ministry's latest draft on Covid-19 prevention and control measures in the new situation, Vietnam is still in the transition between pandemic and sustainable management.

Vietnam has administered two full doses of the vaccine to everyone over the age of 12 but, out of concern over the emergence of more deadly, new variants, the ministry has proposed Vietnam to not yet declare the epidemic as over.

The ministry argued that the virus is constantly evolving and that it is difficult to identify the level of danger and aggravation before death. "There might be variants that weaken the protective effects of vaccinations or immunity, pushing up the cases with severe symptoms or fatalities, particularly in vulnerable populations."

If the epidemic is declared "over", patients would not receive free Covid-19 treatment, including those who live in remote areas with limited access to healthcare services and members of ethnic minorities. Healthcare professionals fighting Covid-19 are not eligible for benefits similar to those for Group A infectious diseases, it added.

The ministry also said the World Health Organization (WHO) is still considering Covid-19 as a pandemic and there might be unpredictable new variants. "In many countries, the pandemic remains complicated, with the need to maintain response mechanisms at high level. Post-Covid health has caused worries, but research on this is still inadequate," it quoted the WHO as stating.

The mortality/incidence rate of Covid-19 in Vietnam dropped dramatically from 1.03% in January 2022 to 0.06% in May 2022, a significant decrease from the preceding period.

When the WHO declares an end to the pandemic and the country’s situation remains under control, the Covid threat could be announced over, the ministry noted.

Vietnam is one of six nations with the highest vaccination rates in the world. The country lifted health declaration requirements on April 27 and dropped its Covid-19 testing requirement for people entering the country on May 15.