UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Rana Flowers (right) and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie (left) with the vaccines delivered to the country. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Australia has delivered 3.6 million Pfizer COVID-19vaccine doses to Vietnam over recent weeks through a procurement agreement withUNICEF and in partnership with Vietnam's Ministry of Health, according to a press release from the Australian Embassy onFebruary 19.
The last batch of 2.2 million doses arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho ChiMinh City on February 19.
This delivery completes Australia’s commitment to share 7.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses with Vietnam. In addition to the Pfizer doses procured through UNICEF,Australia has shared 4.2 million AstraZeneca doses from its own supply sinceAugust last year.
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie welcomed thedelivery, saying that Australia was a close friend and partner of Vietnamand that the two would continue to “unite in our shared fight against COVID-19.”
“Vietnam has made tremendous progress with its COVID-19 vaccinerollout and I am proud that Australia could contribute towards this importantwork. It is critical to saving lives and boosting economic recovery."
UNICEF Representative Rana Flowers in Vietnam said: “We are gratefulto the Government of Australia for sharing these life-saving vaccine doses withthe Vietnamese people. Vietnam has proven itself highly efficient in the safedelivery of vaccines, ensuring that these are utilised effectively."
"These vaccines will help Vietnam in its effort to reachall, extending to children and ensuring the rollout of booster doses. Allof which contributes to a reduction in the severity of disease experienced, andimportantly protects hospitals and the health workers from being overwhelmed”.
The Pfizer doses were purchased with UNICEF’s support throughAustralia’s 60 million AUD package of support for Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccinerollout.
Australia is also partnering with UNICEF to ensure vaccinedistribution is safe, effective and equitable. The Australia-UNICEF partnership has bolstered the nationalCOVID-19 vaccination campaign, supporting the delivery of 1,910 refrigeratorsto hard-to-reach communes, healthcare worker training, and communicationscampaigns.
Australia’s vaccine dose deliveries and the package of supportmake it one of Vietnam’s top partners supporting the national COVID-19vaccination campaign./.
