Vietnam successfully negotiates 170 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine

The nation has successfully negotiated the purchase of 170 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from a variety of sources as part of efforts to fast-track the national vaccination campaign, said Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long.

(Photo: Times of India)

Minister Long unveiled the information during a July 16 online meeting on the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures, with the event connecting with nearly 130 locations nationwide.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) representative said that despite the country signing contracts to purchase vaccines last year, the nation has just begun to receive batches of vaccines under the commitments due to the global scarcity of vaccines, adding that the limited supply sources are likely to continue until September.

He emphasised that the MoH will prioritise allocating vaccines to the provinces and cities worst hit by the pandemic, especially major hubs that serve as locomotives of socio-economic development to ensure the effective implementation of dual goals of containing the pandemic and developing the local economy.

Minister Long noted that provinces and cities are therefore requested to immediately carry out the vaccination plan and select priority groups in line with Resolution No 21 regarding COVID-19 vaccine purchase and use, and other vulnerable groups according to the current situation.