Vietnam to need 150 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine

Vietnam has negotiated to buy 60 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines in 2021 and will need 150 million doses for the whole country, according to the Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Phong.

Vietnam has negotiated to buy 60 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines in 2021 and will need 150 million doses for the whole country, according to the Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Phong.

 

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The minister announced during an online meeting on February 19 after working and negotiating with various organisations and firms to secure Covid-19 vaccines. The ministry also submitted to the Politburo and official document to report about the issue.

Via COVAX Facility, Vietnam will be provided 30 million doses in the second half of 2021. AstraZeneca Company pledged to provide 30 million doses. "We'll make sure to have enough vaccines for everyone," he said. "We are negotiating with other firms and countries to secure more vaccines."

Vaccines will be given to vulnerable people and areas first. The licensing of imported vaccines are now under an emergency mechanism. The Ministry of Health will simplify and complete all procedures quickly in five days.

"Who can access a vaccine source should work with the ministry about importing and distribution. The Politburo will issue detailed directives soon so that vaccines will be rolled out as soon as possible," Phong said.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said when the vaccines are ready, the ministry would hold a training course for the immunisation programme. The Department of Preventive Health, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and Pasteur institutes in all localities must have training courses to expand and improve the personnel force.