Health ministry has yet to classify COVID-19 an endemic disease
The Ministry of Health has proposed continuing to classify COVID-19 as a Group A infectious disease, and not an endemic one. The nation should continue on with flexible and appropriate measures to curb the disease.
The Ministry of Health has proposed continuing to classify COVID-19 as a Group A infectious disease, and not an endemic one. The nation should continue on with flexible and appropriate measures to curb the disease.
WHO keeps its warning of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. (Photo: VNA)
According to the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has maintained its warning of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. In Vietnam, the number of infections and deaths is still recorded and has risen in recent times.
Two scenarios to respond to COVID-19 in the new situation
The Ministry of Health has submitted a report to the Government on measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic in the new situation. The ministry proposes to continue to consider COVID-19 as a group A infectious disease and has not announced the end of COVID-19 pandemic.
The ministry explained that the transfer of infectious disease classification from group A to group B for COVID-19 has some challenges. For example, according to the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 2007 and related guidance documents, many different regulations require adjustment for group A and group B infectious diseases. These include surveillance at border gates and in the community, entry and exit control in pandemic-affected areas, and infection prevention at medical examination and treatment establishments. Also included are medical isolation, free treatment, hygiene guarantees and prevention of infectious diseases, as well as use of vaccines in emergency situations.
In addition, if COVID-19 is moved to group B, there will be a drop in the adherence to protocols for authorities at all levels, organisations, businesses and people. People will not be vigilant, ignoring the pandemic danger, and not taking proactive measures to prevent it.
Another reason is that if the pandemic has a new, more dangerous variant, causing an increase in severe cases or deaths, there is a risk of a strong outbreak on a large scale, beyond the health system’s capacity. If COVID-19 is downgraded to group B it allows for a reduced response from medical and social forces, leaving society at risk.
The health ministry therefore will not change the classification of COVID-19 disease from group A infectious disease to group B infectious disease, which is a less dangerous classification, at present. Pandemic prevention and control measures are flexible and gradually moving towards the 'new normal'.
The ministry has developed a plan with two scenarios to ensure health work in response to COVID-19 in 2022-2023 on the basis of WHO's strategic plan for COVID-19 preparedness and response.
Scenario 1: The virus strain continues to evolve, but the number of severe cases and deaths will be reduced thanks to the community’s immunity. For this situation, COVID-19 prevention and control measures will be gradually reduced similar to those for group B infectious diseases to enable people to safely and flexibly adapt to the new normal situation.
Scenario 2: A new, more dangerous variant appears that is likely to reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine or immunity, causing an increase in severe cases or deaths and putting a strain on the medical system. For this situation, measures to prevent and control COVID-19 will be consolidated and strictly implemented for group A infectious disease to limit the number of cases and deaths.
Vietnam has now basically met the necessary conditions for the transition from pandemic prevention to sustainable management. However, it is still necessary to always stay alert to new variants of the virus, prepare to respond in any circumstances.
In the face of the complicated developments of COVID-19 in many countries, including Vietnam, maintaining the current announcement of COVID-19 as a pandemic is important to gain the due attention from the public./.
The Ministry of Health has issued its latest guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations, which asks all agencies to continue administering booster doses for those 18 and above, and complete second doses for those aged 5-12 within August.
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineages BA.4 and BA.5 have entered Vietnam and may overwhelm the old sub-lineage BA.2, the dominant variant of concern in the country, according to Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan, Director of the Health Ministry’s Department of Preventive Medicine.
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
The partnership is under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, signed in Hanoi on July 22.
An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.
The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
WHO keeps its warning of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. (Photo: VNA)
