Vietnam suggests quick vaccine rollout during WHO talks
VOV.VN - Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on June 17 suggested that the World Health Organisation (WHO) help facilitate the delivery of COVAX Facility – sponsored COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam amid the complex nature of the pandemic locally.
During online talks with Dr Takeshi Kasa, WHO Western Pacific Regional Director, Dam highly appreciated WHO’s role in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and thanked WHO and its chief representative in Vietnam for actively having supported the country for more than one and a half years since the pandemic broke out.
The Government of Vietnam is determined to accelerate the implementation of its vaccination strategy in order to achieve herd immunity soon, stressed the Deputy PM.
He suggested that WHO promote the early delivery of vaccines under the United Nations run COVAX Facility to Vietnam, and strengthen cooperation in technology transfer so that Vietnam would become one of the regional vaccine production centers, contributing to joint efforts to support regional countries in timely access to vaccine sources.
Dr. Takeshi Kasa, highly appreciated Vietnam’s effective response measures, attributing the results to the top leadership’s direction, communication campaigns, and the great support and participation of the entire population.
Vietnam has served as a role model in COVID-19 response in the region, said Takeshi, citing its effective approach of the “5K plus vaccine” which considers vaccines the key to controlling the pandemic alongside other pandemic prevention measures.
He also spoke highly of Vietnam’s policy of encouraging the private sector to get involved in the vaccination strategy, noting the government promotes the public-private partnership (PPP) in finding and transferring technology on vaccine production.
Given the current context of the pandemic, Dr. Takeshi recommended that countries continue to tighten disease control measures, and remain highly vigilant, even when the majority of the population are vaccinated.
The WHO official vowed to work closely with Vietnam to better control COVID-19 and promote an early rollout of the vaccine under the COVAX mechanism to the country. He voiced his support for technology transfer and cooperation on vaccine production with Vietnam to turn it into one of the regional vaccine research and production centers.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and exchange policies and regulations on vaccination safety, in order to bring into full play WHO’s role in supporting countries in epidemic prevention and control.
The WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific thanked the Government of Vietnam for contributing US$500,000 to the COVAX mechanism, demonstrating its responsibility for joint efforts. He also thanked Vietnam for successfully receiving and treating a COVID-19 patient who is a WHO expert.
Leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, and the chief representative of WHO Vietnam were also present during the online talks.