(VOVWORLD) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with the Health Ministry on Sunday to accelerate the import, technological transfer, and production of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs. Mr. Chinh said Vietnam needs to push ahead with vaccination while raising people’s awareness of pandemic prevention.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs a meeting with the Health Ministry on COVID-19 vaccination. (photo: VNA) |
Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said that, although Vietnam began vaccination later than many other countries, 94% of people over 18 have now had their first dose and 69% have had two doses. That’s a comparatively high rate globally. Vietnam has prepared 68.4 million vaccine doses for booster shots, enough for 95% of its adult population.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu said licensed vaccines are effective against the new Omicron variant and vaccine producers continue to improve vaccine effectiveness.
Mr. Vu said Vietnam has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world which is attributed to vaccine supply and vaccination progress. Prime Minister Chinh said Vietnam’s vaccine strategy is timely, appropriate and has achieved good results.
“It’s necessary to estimate national demand and vaccine quantity and types so as to have proper purchase and distribution plans to avoid wastefulness, negative phenomena, and monopoly,” said the Prime Minister.
The Health Ministry and agencies have been asked to facilitate technological transfer and the study and production of home-grown vaccines.