Ministry proposes fund for Covid-19 vaccine

The Ministry of Finance has proposed to the government to set up a fund for buying the Covid-19 vaccine for some 75 million residents in the country.

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According to the ministry, Vietnam will need to buy 150 million doses of vaccines, costing VND25trn (USD1bn). The figure includes the VND21trn cost of the vaccines, and the VND4.2trn cost of transporting, storing and distribution. VND16trn will come from the state budget. VND9.2trn will come from local budgets and donations from individuals and organisations.

As it is very difficult to balance the state budget, it's even more necessary to set up a fund to buy the vaccine to better manage donations and different sources of money. It will also accelerate the acquisition and import of vaccines.

The fund must be transparent and will be subjected to inspection and audit. All financial reports will follow the rules of accounting reports, finalisation and financial disclosure in accordance with the Law on Accounting and the guidance of the Ministry of Finance.

All of the money, donors and financial activities will be publicised. The reports will also be submitted to the National Assembly.

On May 19, an additional 3,854 people were given Covid-19 vaccine in Vietnam, raising the total number of vaccinated people in the country to 1,015,249 including 28,865 people having received two doses.