PM Viphavanh seeks to obtain more vaccines for Laos’ immunization program

Laos PM Phankham Viphavanh has ordered the relevant authorities to acquire more Covid-19 vaccines in order to boost the immunization program. The prime minister has given instructions through a video conference with the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control along with the provincial taskforces.

He emphasized that the process of vaccine acquisition must be prioritized and that it must be done without any delay. As Laos continue to struggle to put the second wave of the Covid-19 infections under control, the authorities have been intensifying its efforts to get the population vaccinated in order to keep the public safe from the virus.

As of May 16, a total of 533,172 people in Laos have already received the first dose of the vaccines whereas a total of 90,405 individuals already received the second dose. The Prime Minister have given directives to the authorities to get connected with friendly countries and exchange important information on how to best treat the infection as the total number of confirmed cases continue to rise to 1,638 as of May 17 in Laos while 1,054 active cases remain in the facilities to get treated. About 582 individuals have already been discharged while 2 people have died because of the infection.

The prime minister also pointed out that as the number of people that requires treatment continue to grow, upgrading the existing medical equipment is necessary and further proposed that funds must be appropriately allocated. In a meeting headed by the prime minister, the taskforces were given instructions to make preparations in getting enough medical personnel and necessary individuals in order to deal with the current outbreak.

The taskforces were also told to devise revised Covid-19 prevention and control measures to be implemented after May 20 when the lockdown gets lifted. Laos’ PM also given order to reassess which of the existing measures that were imposed under the lockdown could be eased and which could be tightened to cope up the current situation.

 The implementation of Covid-19 prevention and control measures has also been discussed in the meeting particularly the ones under the Prime Minister’s Order No 15. The prime minister also expressed his gratitude towards all sectors such as the frontliners as well as to the friendly countries and to those who extended support to Laos in the country’s ongoing fight against the Covid-19. He also mentioned that he is confident that the taskforces and authorities would help Laos put the outbreak under control by working in cooperation with various sectors.