Vietnam cautious about latest SARS-CoV-2 virus mutation

Addressing an online meeting with health leaders of 63 cities and provinces throughout the country on Dec. 23, Minister Long stated that no such mutation of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been detected in Vietnam, and relevant medical agencies are paying close attention to the ongoing situation.

According to the Minister, Vietnam has been able to successfully bring COVID-19 outbreaks within the community under control, although the recent emergence of a new strain of the virus in the UK has prompted major concerns from the public.

“Despite the worry, we must stay calm to deal with this type of the variant strain,” he declared at the conference.

Minister Long outlined that he has directed research institutes to strengthen the genetic sequencing of samples, with a greater focus on those from Europe and countries that have detected the latest COVID-19 strain. These efforts should be made in order to see how it is transmitted and if it is likely to penetrate Vietnam.

In line with concerns, he therefore proposed that localities remain highly vigilant to keep the virus at bay and protect the wider community.

Since the detection of the new strain, many countries globally have moved to impose travel restrictions on the UK, in addition to South Africa where another COVID-19 strain has also been found.

The variant discovered in the UK is reportedly 70% more transmissible than previous known strains, prompting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to impose a Tier Four lockdown on London and the southeast of England last week.

It is likely that the UK will impose more stringent lockdown measures on other parts of the country due to the possibility of the new variant rapidly spreading to different regions.  

Work on Made-in-Vietnam vaccines in progress

The Minister also informed participants about the launch of the first phase of human clinical trials for the Nano Covax vaccine to combat the COVID-19 in Vietnam, adding that all volunteers who have received Nano Covax shots remain healthy.

Nano Covax represents the first Made-in-Vietnam COVID-19 vaccine and is in the process of being produced by Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC. Nanogen, in collaboration with the Military Medical Academy, initially began a human clinical testing campaign in Vietnam on Dec. 17.

Alongside Nanogen, three other Vietnamese companies, Ivac, Vabiotec, and Polivac, are researching and developing locally-made COVID-19 vaccines. Indeed, Ivac and Vabiotec are both scheduled to carry out trials for their vaccines in Mar. 2021.

Minister Long revealed that Polivac is currently speeding up research and co-operation with foreign partners from China and Russia in order to produce new vaccines.

“Priority should be given to producing vaccines locally alongside seeking foreign supplies,” said the Minister.