Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the COVAX Facility to expedite the allocation of COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam during a teleconference with COVAX Office Managing Director Aurélia Nguyen on Monday.

PM Chinh praised the role of COVAX in seeking supplies, coordinating, and distributing COVID-19 vaccines around the world, which significantly contributes to pandemic control efforts.

COVID-19 is a worldwide issue that requires a global approach and effective international cooperation, the premier continued, adding that it is necessary to support equal access to coronavirus vaccines and medicine via multilateral and bilateral mechanisms.

Vietnam always puts people’s health and safety first and is striving to achieve vaccine coverage of the entire population as soon as possible.

The PM asked COVAX to prioritize and expedite the allocation of vaccines to Vietnam, especially in September, October, and November, as well as to fulfill the vaccine provision agreement with the Southeast Asian country in 2021.

He also asked COVAX to coordinate and supply the Moderna vaccine to Vietnam so it can inoculate people with the second doses, as the nation has run out of this type of jab.

Vietnam wishes to borrow or purchase vaccines from countries with spare or unused jabs, PM Chinh continued, hoping that COVAX could assist in this effort.

He called on the COVAX Facility to help Vietnam enhance cooperation with international partners in COVID-19 vaccine and medicine production, as well as access to vaccines for people under 18.

The country has contributed US$500,000 to COVAX, and it is considering more donations, the leader added.

Director Aurélia Nguyen hailed Vietnam’s achievements in the COVID-19 fight, noting that the country has carried out vaccination in a smart, scientific, transparent, timely, and effective manner.

The facility will exert every effort to realize its commitments to Vietnam, and will continue allocating 85 million vaccine doses to countries around the world, including Vietnam, this October.

She also applauded the country’s long-term vision in researching, developing, and working toward vaccine self-sufficiency.

COVAX is an international partnership created to ensure global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

The COVAX Facility is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations (CEPI), GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF as a key delivery partner.

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