Vietnam calls for sharing of information on COVID-19 vaccines

Illustrative photo (Source: AFP/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said amid increasing complicated COVID-19 situation, Vietnam hopes countries and international organisations to increase the sharing of information, technology, finance and medical supplies, especially vaccines, to jointly prevent and control the pandemic and soon bring life back to normal.

She made the comment at a regular press conference of the ministry, which took place virtually on July 8.

Hang said that to date, Vietnam has received four types of vaccines, including nearly 4.4 million doses of AstraZeneca from the COVAX programme and through purchase, along with 1.4 million doses of the vaccine donated by the Government of Japan; 2,000 doses of Sputnik V donated by the Russian Government; 500,000 doses of Vero-Cell by Sinopharm donated by the Chinese Government. On July 7, the first batch of close to 100,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived in Vietnam, she added.

According to the spokesperson, the COVAX programme has also committed to give priority to Vietnam in its upcoming vaccine allocations. It will deliver to Vietnam 2 million doses of the Moderna vaccine provided by the US Government through the mechanism, which are expected to arrive in Vietnam this week.

She noted that Vietnam has contributed 500,000 USD to the COVAX mechanism to join hands with the international community in fighting the pandemic.

Regarding the use of the 500,000 doses of Vero-Cell vaccine donated by China, Hang said Vietnam will use the vaccine in accordance with the Vietnamese Government’s Resolution 21/NQ-CP issued on February 26 on COVID-19 vaccine procurement and use. She added that at the same time, in response to the request of the Chinese side, Vietnam will vaccinate Chinese citizens working in Vietnam./.

VNA