COVID-19 vaccination in northern Lao PDR

Families of farmers are harvesting crops in the field from dusk till dawn in Bokeo province.

Bokeo, a picturesque land of jewels in the northern part of Lao PDR is currently one of the highest-risk provinces that have been exposed to the COVID-19 community transmission for quite some time. This smallest province in the country - bordering Thailand and Myanmar- is the heart and soul of the renowned “Golden Triangle” Special Economic Zone, a top destination for migrant workers from neighbouring countries and Chinese traders with over 51,000 population out of the total population of 206,781. Hence, the massive number of people entering and leaving daily has led to the eventual COVID-19 outbreak in the area.

In responding to such outbreak, together with the preventive measures and case management, Bokeo province has also emphasized the importance of vaccination to fight against COVID-19. As of July 2021, over 80% of the population in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone were vaccinated and more than 82,700 people, representing 20.6% of the population in the province, have been vaccinated with the first dose.

“Vaccination is crucial for the containment and is one of the important preventive measures against the pandemic. I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the government and its development partners, including those who have donated vaccines directly to the Government of the Lao PDR and through COVAX Facility. I would also like to thank UNICEF, WHO, and other development partners for their support towards the COVID-19 response in Bokeo Province,” said the Vice Governor, Mr. Khamphaya Phompanya.

Vice Governor, Head of Bokeo Province’s COVID-19 Adhoc Committee, Mr. Khamphaya Phompanya urges Bokeo people to complete the required doses of vaccines for full protection.

Dr. Jun Gao, WHO Officer-in-Charge to Lao PDR said “We must all get vaccinated as soon as it is our turn especially for health worker, elderly and people with chronic health conditions and also continue to ‘do it all’ with preventive measures like wearing a mask, physically distancing, and avoiding the ‘3Cs’: closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings. Using all of these tools in combination is key to reducing the spread and limiting the virus’ ability to mutate into more dangerous variants.”

People park their vehicles right in front of the “COVID-19 vaccination site” sign at Huay xai District Health Office entrance.

Up on the hilltop of Huay xai district, lies a health office where the COVID-19 vaccines are being roll-out. A dozen of well-trained health care workers in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are working tirelessly as a team to ensure that this third round of vaccine rollout goes smoothly for everyone, especially priority groups, such as health workers, elderly, people with underlying conditions.

Prior to the roll-out of the vaccine in each province, World Health Organization Lao PDR Country Office with the support of the Australian Government is has provided multiple training and capacity building opportunity for vaccinators at the sub-national level to be ready for the mass immunization. Eight modules in one a half-day training were used to ensure the preparedness of every vaccination process namely registration, screening, vaccine safety, monitoring adverse events following immunization (AEFI), data entry, and avoiding any unnecessary large gathering of people and enable physical distancing in the vaccination sites.

Team of nurses, at the hilltop vaccination site’s registration & screening area.

A nurse in full PPE manages the crowd at the vaccination site to enable physical distancing.

The vaccination team applies what they have learned from the COVID-19 vaccination training by conducting a proper screening and registration before giving out the vaccines.

One of the vaccinators uses a laptop to check the training materials to ensures the safety of people she gives vaccines to.

Traveling all the way from the northern part of Huay xai, by the border to Xiengkhuang province, Ms. Onkeo Deepaseuth, a 66-year-old resident of Ban Huay xai Neua, came to the Huay xai district health office early in the morning to receive her second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

“The doctor advised me to receive the vaccines to protect myself from COVID-19, the vaccination went well, and the nurses treated me very nicely,” said Ms. Onkeo. “My grandson brought me here this morning and I am waiting for him to pick me up.” she added.

Onkeo Deepaseuth, 66 years old, a resident of Ban Huay xai Neua happily shows her completed vaccination card.

Another energetic lady, Ms. Laophun from Huay xai tai arrived at the vaccination site with her son to complete her COVID-19 protection. She was informed that it is important to get full vaccination to protect herself from severe illnesses from the COVID-19.

“My son dropped me off here this morning before heading out for work. With the help of the nurse, today’s vaccination went smoothly for me. Last time I felt tired after receiving the vaccine, but it is all gone once I get some rest. Let’s see if it will happen again this time” she shared. “My son is already off to work in the suburb area. He works for the electricity company so he will not be able to pick me up.” she added.

“I will take some rest and walk back home later as doing exercise.” Laophun said.

A 65 years old lady, Ms. Laophun from Huay xai tai receives her second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

National Deployment and Vaccination Plan’s priority groups such as the elderly and people with underlying health conditions show up at Huay Xay District Health office to complete their COVID-19 vaccination.

The upcoming doses of COVID-19 vaccines supported by the Australian Government will be a key contribution to help the Lao government to reach 50% vaccines coverage by the end of 2021.