Dr Daniel Borer emphasises vaccination can help minimise the risks from supply disruptions in industrial parks.
"The rapid COVID-19 outbreak returning has reduced productivity and left factories operating below capacity in the manufacturing industry in Vietnam, where suppliers for many global firms are located," Dr Borer said.
"Vaccination is key to return to full economic activities,” Dr Borer added. "Vietnam would be at a disadvantage if supply chains are disrupted and the country remains closed to foreign businesses as a measure to prevent the virus spread, while other countries in the region open up thanks to successful vaccination.”
Dr Greeni Maheshwari said hundreds of thousands of manufacturing workers getting vaccinated will help maintain production.
“Vaccination will be beneficial for the factories where thousands of workers are working in close proximity,” Dr Maheshwari added. “This vaccination drive will help to fight the virus and ensure the good health of workers which will enhance the production, and boost the economy in general.”
“Many countries including Europe and the United States have put their greatest effort into vaccination, and are now starting to enjoy dramatically decreasing infection rates, and gradual normalisation of life.”
During times of chaos and uncertainty, Dr Maheshwari praised the Vietnamese community for joining hands with the government to fight against the outbreak by funding for vaccination programs.
During COVID-19 vaccination drive, Dr Daniel Borer assessed a challenge that Vietnam now faces is to rekindle the economy gradually but safely while an increasing number of people are vaccinated.
“Herd immunity is said to be reached at 60-80% of fully vaccinated population. If Vietnam waits to achieve herd immunity before restoring the economy, valuable months are lost and more companies might be bankrupt,” Dr Borer said.
“The Vietnamese government could implement a system where businesses having 60% of their staff fully vaccinated, could return to regular operations,” he added. “This micro-management at business level, would allow the re-establishment of operations for an increasing number of companies and reviving the economy while keeping those sectors still restricted where the vaccinated population is known to be less.”