Australia is considering the possibility of supplying more vaccines to Vietnam, Switzerland has committed to speeding up delivery of 5 million doses of Moderna vaccine to HCM City, and France will consider the exchange and transfer of vaccine production technology.

Australia is considering the possibility of supplying more vaccines to Vietnam, Switzerland has committed to speeding up delivery of 5 million doses of Moderna vaccine to Ho Chi Minh City, and France will consider the exchange and transfer of vaccine production technology.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long met recently with the ambassadors of Australia, Switzerland and France in Vietnam regarding cooperation in epidemic prevention, especially the supply of Covid-19 vaccines to Vietnam.

Australian Ambassador Mobyn Mudie said that the Australian Government has allocated 130 million Australian dollars through the COVAX mechanism. For Vietnam, the total funding is 40 million Australian dollars for three years to buy vaccines against Covid-19. Australia will also assist Vietnam in terms of implementation of vaccinations, and provision of professional and technical advice through UNICEF.

The Australian Government is actively implementing support solutions to provide more vaccines to Vietnam. “Australia is producing vaccines against Covid-19. We hope that after half a year, we can supply vaccines directly to Vietnam,” said Ms. Mudie.

Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said that Vietnam plans to vaccinate children aged 12-18. The Ministry of Health proposed using 13.5 million out of 40 million Australian dollars to buy Pfizer vaccines for children.

Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Ivo Siebber.

Ivo Siebber, Ambassador of Switzerland to Vietnam, said that his country has contributed funds to buy three million doses of vaccine for the COVAX mechanism and provided technical support to many developing countries. Swiss pharmaceutical companies in Vietnam have affirmed their readiness to support Vietnam, especially in epidemic prevention activities, including access to Covid-19 vaccines.

Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said he hoped that the two pharmaceutical companies DKSH and Zuellig Pharma will speed up the supply of vaccines to Vietnam. Zuellig Pharma has been authorized by Moderna to deliver 5 million doses of vaccine to Vietnam. The authorities of Ho Chi Minh City have discussed with the Ministry of Health a purchase of 5 million doses.

"We hope that Moderna vaccine, through Zuellig Pharma, will soon arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, the city with the highest population in Vietnam and the highest risk of an outbreak," Minister Long said.

Ambassador Siebber emphasized that Zullig Pharma and DKSH would continue to work with the Ministry of Health to find the fastest way to bring the Moderna vaccine to Vietnam.

French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery said that Sanofi and a number of other French pharmaceutical companies are currently researching and testing a Covid-19 vaccine, now in phase 3.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said he hoped that France would cooperate in technology exchange and transfer and help Vietnam in vaccine development and production.

Ambassador Warnery affirmed that Vietnam's proposals are being studied by French agencies. He also proposed importing Johnson & Johnson vaccines and vaccinating the French community in Vietnam, with priority given to those over 55 years old.

Nguyen Lien

COVID-19 outbreaks under control, as health ministry ramps up talks for vaccines: Minister

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long spoke to the media about his evaluation of the current wave of COVID-19 infections in the country and efforts to secure 150 million vaccines by the end of the year.