First shipment of Australia-donated Covid-19 vaccines arrive in Vietnam

Australia delivered 403,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam on Thursday.

Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Julianne Cowley and Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Truong Son, Deputy Minister of Health welcome the first delivery of 403,000 AstraZeneca doses from Australia on August 26

This is the first batch of Australia’s commitment of 1.5 million AstraZeneca doses to be donated to Vietnam this year, in support of Vietnam’s COVID-19 response.

Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Robyn Mudie welcomed the first delivery of doses from Australia.

“Together, we are united in the fight against COVID-19. Australia’s support for Vietnam’s national vaccine roll-out will help to save lives and promote economic recovery. As friends and partners we will emerge from this crisis stronger and more determined to face future challenges”, Ambassador Mudie said.

These vaccines have arrived at a critical point in Vietnam’s efforts to control the spread of the highly transmissible delta variant.

Yesterday’s delivery is in addition to Australia’s existing USD40 million package of vaccine- related support to Vietnam. Australia will provide additional doses through its partnership with UNICEF plus funding for syringes, cold chain equipment, including 1900 fridges and five refrigerated trucks, training for healthcare workers, and support for the vaccine rollout in remote provinces.