Vietnam vows to effectively use COVAX-funded coronavirus vaccine
VOV.VN - Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam voiced Vietnam’s commitment to use the COVAX-sponsored coronavirus vaccine effectively while receiving the first COVAX vaccine batch in Hanoi on April 1.
The first shipment of COVAX-sponsored coronavirus vaccine numbering 811,200 doses arrived at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport on April 1 in the presence of many Vietnamese officials and representatives of international organisations.
“We would like to thank countries, international organizations, and many individuals for their valuable assistance to help Vietnam combat COVID-19 and access coronavirus vaccine sources,” Dam said at a ceremony to receive the batch.
“We will use the sponsored vaccine effectively to ensure everyone is able to get access to the vaccine,” he stressed.
According to the Deputy PM, coronavirus vaccines are in short supply globally, and the timely delivery of the sponsored vaccine will help Vietnam better control the pandemic.
“Vietnam is a poor developing country. We are aware that halting the spread of the coronavirus outbreak in the community means serving the Vietnamese people’s interest but also helping the international community control the pandemic,” said the government official.
He also announced that Vietnamese scientists are accelerating the research and manufacturing of coronavirus vaccines to join international efforts in eradicating the disease.
Dr. Kidong Park, WTO Chief Representative to Vietnam, and Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative to Vietnam, vowed to work closely with the Vietnamese government to facilitate its COVID-19 vaccination programme in the country.
The coronavirus vaccine supplied to Vietnam was developed by AstraZeneca/Oxford University and manufactured by SK Bioscience of the Republic of Korea. The vaccine has been licensed by the WHO for emergency use and has been approved in Vietnam.
The COVAX Facility has agreed to roll out 30 million doses of AstraZeneca for Vietnam this year.
COVAX, the overarching effort to accelerate development and access to COVID vaccines, is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the World Health Organization (WHO) working in partnership with UNICEF as well as the World Bank, manufacturers and civil society organizations, and others.
