Ilustrative image (Photo: AFP/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Advisory Council forthe Registration of Circulation of Drugs and Medicinal Ingredients under theMinistry of Health (MoH) has proposed that the Health Ministry approve the use of COVID-19 vaccines produced by Moderna Company of the US and JSC GeneriumCompany of Russia, for urgent use in Vietnam.
Previously, in early February, the MoHofficially approved the AstraZenecaCOVID-19 vaccine of the UK.
The first vaccine batch, comprising 117,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, arrived in Vietnam on February 24. The first to receive vaccine shots will be priority groups, including health workers, forces participating in COVID-19 prevention and control activities; diplomats,customs and immigration officers; army and police forces; teachers; people over 65 years old; those providing essential services in thefields of aviation, transportation, tourism, electricity and water services; peoplewith chronic diseases; those wishing to go to work and study abroad; and residents in pandemic-hit areas in line with epidemiological indications.
Vaccination will start in early March, and 1.2 million more dosesmay be added to the programme in lateMarch.
Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said the ministry will secure 90million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from different sources in 2021.
The MoH is making every effort to carryout the vaccination drive, which is the biggest ever in the country, towards ensuring theschedule and coverage of the programme, Long stressed.
Regarding domestic production ofvaccine, the minister said all relevant stages are going as schedule.
Vietnam expects to produce vaccines by 2022, he added./.
