VIENTIANE, Oct 8 (Xinhua): The Lao Ministry of Health has set a target for more than 80 per cent, ideally 100 per cent, of children aged 6-11 to be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of 2022.
According to a report issued by the Centre of Information and Education for Health under the Lao Ministry of Health on Wednesday, with children in this age group returning to school, it is a good time for children to get vaccinated and build strong immunity to the virus.
So far, 712,532 children aged 6-11, accounting for 76.1 per cent, have had a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 531,110 children, or 56.7 per cent, have had two doses.
To date, more than 5.9 million people in Laos, or 80.9 per cent, have had a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. The figure exceeded the target set by the country to vaccinate 80 percent of the population by the end of 2022.
Meanwhile, at least 5.2 million people, or 72.1 per cent, have had a second dose of Covid-19 vaccines.
The Lao health authorities advised teachers and students to strictly follow measures on Covid-19 prevention and control.
The Lao Ministry of Health also urged the public to continue to comply with Covid-19 control measures, even though the number of daily new infections has fallen significantly.
In addition, Lao health officials advised people to get vaccinated, as well as to take a booster shot to bolster waning immunity levels.
As of Thursday, 215,952 Covid-19 cases have been recorded in Laos, and 665 people have died from the virus.
Laos reported its first two confirmed Covid-19 cases on March 24, 2020. Enditem
