Every person protected by vaccination brings a unique mix of fears, hesitations and hopes for a better future.
Here are stories collected in late 2021, while Vietnam was ramping up COVID-19 vaccination in reaching and protecting older people, people with underlying health conditions, and people in remote areas.
WHO introduces six people – each with their own story on how COVID-19 vaccines paved the opportunity for healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Let’s protect our community
Collective spirit motivated Huynh Thi Cam, 85, from Hoi An, in central Quang Nam province to be vaccinated.
“I’ve seen many people die of COVID-19. I feel scared. Now that I’m older, [my own] death is not a problem but I’m worried about my children and neighbours. If I got infected, I could transmit it to my children and neighbours. It would be regrettable.”
Watch Huynh Thi Cam’s vaccination story:
https://www.facebook.com/WHOVietnam/videos/1329014090949164
Death holds no fear for Bui Thi Do, 92, of Quang Nan province, either.
When there was a COVID-19 outbreak in nearby Da Nang city, her son was infected and had to go into isolation for a month.
“When he returned home, he talked about the pandemic. I’d heard of it but I didn’t know what it is. He asked me to get vaccinated. I said ‘Yes, why not’.”
At the clinic, health care workers gave her information on COVID-19 and the benefits of vaccination. She agreed to be vaccinated and left satisfied with her decision.
Watch Bui Thi Do’s vaccination story:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2175344419286498 T
No prosperity without health
Ha Giang province in northern Viet Nam bordering China is famous for its endless fields of buckwheat flowers, the perfect backdrop for a romantic photoshoot.
Before the pandemic, these little blooms provided Cao Seo Chang and his family with their income in La Chi Chai village, Nan Ma commune, Xin Man district.
“My family does business by growing buckwheat flowers for tourists who come to take photos. We also have a costume rental service for tourists to take photos with the buckwheat flowers.”
At the height of the pandemic, Cao Seo Chang became concerned that limited travel brought fewer tourists. However, he remained hopeful for vaccination – along with the 5K measures – to help open opportunities for safe tourism.
“After getting vaccinated, I will not be fearful about interacting with tourists. If there are tourists, I will earn more money.
“I hope many people will be vaccinated. After being vaccinated, they will be able to travel and visit many places. When there are more people traveling, I will be able to earn more money.”
Watch Cao Seo Chang’s vaccination story:
https://www.facebook.com/WHOVietnam/videos/2128890080621147
Loc Thi Dong runs a roadside fruit and vegetable shop in Coc Pai Town, which is also in Xin Man district.
“The pandemic has affected my family a lot because selling vegetables is our main source of income. When the pandemic happened, because of social distancing and lockdown, people were rarely allowed to go out so it affected the household’s income.”
When the WHO team visited Loc Thi Dong in November 2021, she was looking forward for her business to continue. “I’m well aware that the pandemic is very dangerous. When I get vaccinated, it will be good for me as well as my family and the community. Therefore, I went to a medical facility to be vaccinated against COVID-19. After getting vaccinated, my business can resume.”
Her hope is for a safer, healthier future and for daily life to ensue.
Watch Loc Thi Dong's vaccination story:
https://www.facebook.com/WHOVietnam/videos/967173533902022
Accessible vaccination for all
Le Minh Hai registered her mother for vaccination, but she hesitated to register her father, Le Van So, 87, who lives in Cam Thanh village, Hoi An district, in the central province of Quang Nam. She was not sure he would be able to reach the vaccination site when it was his turn.
“When he walks, he has to use a stick and he can’t walk far. He can walk 5 to 10 metres and then he has to sit and rest. Because of this situation, our family was very worried. We worried about whether the government would come to our house to give the vaccination.
“So when I first registered my mother, I did not register my father. I wanted to ask and find out what the situation was.”
To Le Minh Hai’s relief, she was told the commune would arrange for people with mobility impairments to be vaccinated too.
Watch Le Van So’s vaccination story:
https://www.facebook.com/WHOVietnam/videos/676969463666664/
Freedom from fear
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mày Dỉ Phà was hesitant to leave his home in Ban Khoa village, Tan Tien commune, Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province, because his age, 58, put him in a vulnerable group.
“I was fearful and did not dare go to crowded places or to the market to buy and sell things.”
Fortunately, clear information from a health worker helped him decide to be vaccinated and to protect everyone in his family.
“When I went to the village meeting, I heard the village nurse communicating about getting vaccinated to be protected from COVID-19.
“My family has three members. I have decided that all three members will get vaccinated.”
After being vaccinated at the commune health station set among the fields, he said: “I feel safer. I will not be fearful to go anywhere.”
Watch may Di Pha’s vaccination story:
https://www.facebook.com/WHOVietnam/videos/391872689406996
No one is safe until we are all safe
In Viet Nam and the rest of the world, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, in combination other measures, have been critical in improving everyone’s quality of life during the pandemic.
When everyone – even in the remotest parts of every country - has access to the vaccines they need, people can have peace of mind knowing they are better protected from disease and do more of the things that bring them joy.
Vaccines give everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential and pursue a life well-lived.