The Ministry of Health has just warned about the possible scams in the trading and supplying of Covid-19 vaccines in Vietnam.
In an announcement released on March 10, the ministry said that some firms and organisations had contacted them to sell the vaccine.
According to the ministry, Interpol has announced that police in China and South Africa recently arrested many people involved in the trading of fake Covid-19 vaccines. Interpol has also received reports about the sale offers of fake vaccines targeting medical organisations.
In Vietnam, many local and foreign firms and organisations have contacted the Ministry of Health to sell Covid-19 vaccines made by Moderna and AstraZeneca. However, investigations by the ministry showed that these vaccine producers have not co-operated with these firms or organisations in the trading of their vaccines.
On March 1, AstraZeneca confirmed that in Vietnam they have only supplied their vaccines through COVAX, UNICEF, and Vietnam Vaccine JSC.
US producer Moderna also said that by now they have not authorized any firms to supply their Covid-19 vaccine in Vietnam. Other producers like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson all have their branches in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in Vietnam noted that the trading and import of Sputnik vaccine should be made through Russia's Direct Investment Fund. China and India also stressed that the imports of their vaccines must be approved by the local governments.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has encouraged local firms to negotiate with international suppliers to have enough Covid-19 vaccines for local people.
However, the ministry advised local firms to be careful in verifying information from suppliers to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations. The firms can contact the ministries of Health, Public Security, Foreign Affairs, and Trade for assistance in the information verification on the vaccines.
