Vietnamese Embassy in Russia enhances vaccine diplomacy
VOV.VN - The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia has been making active moves in an effort to promote “vaccine diplomacy” as a means of supporting the homeland’s ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi has said.
Amid a range of complex developments relating to the pandemic, the Embassy has established a special working group aimed at enhancing co-operation with Russia in COVID-19 prevention and control. This is being done to seek additional vaccine sources, along with drug and medical supplies.
This group has therefore been tasked with learning from Russia’s experience in the COVID-19 fight, assessing the current pandemic situation, and seeking medicine and vaccine sources who can work with relevant agencies in the homeland to purchase them.
There have been two Vietnamese companies designated to produce COVID-19 vaccines from Russia for domestic use. Vabiotech has received Russian technology in order to bottle Sputnik V in Vietnam, while T&T has been assigned to purchase 40 million doses of this type of vaccine.
The initial batch of Sputnik V is anticipated to be bottled in August and early September, according to the Ambassador.
Moving forward, Russia is ready to co-operate alongside the nation, although there are also certain objective difficulties, he added, pointing out that the Eastern European country is in the process of stepping up its own vaccination programme. It has also signed contracts with many countries and partners globally since the start of the year.
Ambassador Khoi noted that it’s now the peak time for vaccine deliveries, so it will not be until September that the country can receive the first batch of vaccine from Russia.
The diplomat added that “vaccine diplomacy” is a new definition, but Vietnamese people in Russia form a large and united community that has deep understanding of the host nation, along with enjoying good relations with many local ministries, sectors, agencies, and businesses. This greatly helps the Embassy to find relevant partners, along with drug and vaccine sources.
Furthermore, many Vietnamese students working at hospitals in Russia have also shared their anti-pandemic experiences with the Embassy who can report back to domestic agencies.