COVID-19 vaccine fund raises VND185 billion
Minister of Heath Nguyen Thanh Long on May 28 received VND185 billion (US$8.01 million) in donations from businesses for Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine fund.
The Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) contributed VND50 billion; the Vietnam Electrical Equipment Joint Stock Corporation, the BIM Group, and Vietnam Electricity VND30 billion each; and the Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank VND20 billion. The Kosy Group and the DHG Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company donated VND3 and 2 billion, respectively.
At the handover ceremony, Long highlighted the complex developments of the ongoing fourth wave of COVID-19 in Vietnam that began in late April.
A concerted effort by the entire country was key to success in fighting the previous three waves, he stressed, expressing a belief that with solidarity and efforts, success will come again.
Vaccinations are considered an effective solution and top priority in pandemic prevention and control, he affirmed.
The health sector aims to increase vaccine coverage and reach herd immunity, he said.
Since May, the Ministry of Health and related agencies have actively negotiated and accessed different sources of COVID-19 vaccines.
Vietnam was one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to sign a contract to buy the AstraZeneca vaccine and was also one of 92 countries supported by the COVAX Facility, receiving 38.9 million doses.
The ministry recently signed an agreement with Pfizer to buy 30 million doses of its vaccine.
