The first batch of COVID-19 vaccine shots is expected to arrive in Vietnam at the end of this month, including the doses the country has purchased and free doses provided by COVAX.

Vietnam will receive 4.8 to 8.2 million free AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses supplied by COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX), which is co-led by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, the World Health Organization, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and others, according to the Ministry of Health.

The first batch of vaccine doses expected to arrive later this month will include about 25 to 30 percent of the free shots.

Meanwhile, the exact number of doses purchased by the country remains unknown.

The General Department of Preventive Medicine under the Health Ministry has completed a plan on vaccine use and is waiting for approval from competent authorities.

In related news, the Vietnam Military Medical University will begin the second phase of the human trial of locally-made COVID-19 vaccine Nanocovax, developed by Ho Chi Minh City-based Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, at the end of this month.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Vietnam has documented 2,329 COVID-19 cases, with 1,580 recoveries and 35 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

A total of 737 domestic infections have been recorded in 13 provinces and cities across the country since January 27.

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