It is the second batch ordered by the Health Ministry via the Vietnam Vaccine JSC (VNVC) and the fourth delivery to Vietnam.

So far, four batches of AstraZeneca vaccine have been delivered to Vietnam with nearly 2.9 million doses, including 117,600 on February 24; 811,200 on April 1; 1.682 million on May 16, and the latest 288,000.

Vietnam has to date conducted vaccinations in the first and second stages in cities and provinces with over 1,034,072 doses administered to those in the priority list in accordance with Resolution No.21/NQ-CP dated February 26 on the purchase and use of COVID-19 vaccines.

The country has rollled out vaccinations since March 8, targeting frontline medical staff, members of COVID-19 prevention and control teams, members of public security and army forces, with 28,503 being given enough two shots.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the ministry successfully negotiated with AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and COVAX Facility – a global vaccine sharing mechanism.

It also registered with COVAX to buy more vaccines under the cost sharing mechanism.

It is estimated that Vietnam will have some 110 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by late 2021, including 38.9 million from COVAX, 30 million from AstraZeneca via VNVC, and 31 million from Pfizer/BioNTech.

However, the ministry targeted having enough 150 million doses to inoculate 75 percent of the Vietnamese population as directed by the Politburo and the Government.

To such end, it is necessary to have the participation of groups and businesses to donate to the country’s vaccine fund.

Vietnam to receive 110 million COVID-19 vaccine doses later this year

The country is expected to have approximately 110 million doses of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine by the end of the year, according to details given by the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The Ministry of Health receives financial support of VND125 billion and US$1 million from representatives from corporations and businesses for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.
This information was unveiled by Prof. Dr.  and Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long during a ceremony held on May 25 to receive financial support of VND125 billion, US$1 million, and one million vaccine doses from representatives of various corporations and businesses.

Minister Long said the MoH officially called for support on May 24 from corporations, businesses, organisations, and individuals amid complicated developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in the latest hotspots of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh.

He went on to underscore the importance of mobilising financial sources from corporations and businesses as a means of contributing to the vaccine fund in order to help citizens gain access to COVID-19 vaccines in the fastest manner possible.

Recent times has seen the MoH spare no effort in seeking vaccine sources for the nation, Minister Long said, with roughly 110 million doses being supplied to the nation this year, of which 38.9 million doses will come from the COVAX Facility, 30 million from AstraZeneca, with a further 31 million doses from Pfizer/BioNTech.

The Ministry hopes to receive around 150 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to ensure that 75% of the Vietnamese population are vaccinated this year.

He underlined the need to devise a competent strategy aimed at developing a homegrown COVID-19 vaccine, adding that the MoH has been actively working alongside partners, corporations, and businesses to participate in the production of locally-made COVID-19 vaccines with the goal of having a domestically-produced COVID-19 vaccine by 2022.

Upon addressing the event, representatives of the sponsors expressed their gratitude to frontline workers who have been working tirelessly in the fight against the pandemic, stating their hope that the pandemic will be eradicated soon./.

VNA/VOV

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