Prime Minister holds phone talks with COVAX Managing Director

On Thursday, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính holds phone talks with COVAX Managing Director Aurélia Nguyen. — VNA/VNS Photo

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính suggested the COVAX Facility continue its supply of COVID-19 vaccines to Việt Nam, during a phone call with Managing Director of the COVAX Facility Aurélia Nguyen on Thursday.

The PM said since their in-person meeting in Paris last November, Việt Nam had seen positive outcomes in raising vaccination coverage, becoming one of the countries taking the lead globally.

Việt Nam had received about 213 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far, of which more than 194 million had been administered.

Up to 98 per cent of Vietnamese people above 18 had had two shots of vaccine, and the country was striving to complete the injection of the third jab this month, he said, adding that 94 per cent of children aged 12-17 had also received two doses.

Việt Nam was confident in safely and flexibly adapting to the pandemic, and restoring socio-economic activities, with full tourism reopening scheduled from March 15, the PM said.

He said that the country was considering a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot and had completed preparations for vaccinating children from 5 to under 12 years old. This was important to reopen schools safely as soon as possible.

The PM thanked the COVAX Facility and the Managing Director for their support of Việt Nam, noting the country had received more than 53 million doses of vaccines from COVAX so far, and expected to get tens of millions more.

Việt Nam backed COVAX’s role at international meetings and multilateral forums, he said, suggesting the facility provide consultation for Việt Nam in vaccinating children aged 5-12 and help the country receive mRNA vaccine production technology transfer under an initiative supported by the World Health Organization and partners, including COVAX.

Nguyen spoke highly of active steps taken by Việt Nam in the pandemic, especially the successful vaccine rollout, as well as its performance in socio-economic development.

The Managing Director said COVAX had published an article on Việt Nam’s success in vaccination and suggested the country share its experience with other nations.

Hailing the strong cooperation between the two sides, she said that COVAX would continue to support Việt Nam in vaccines, including those against new variants, advise Việt Nam in vaccinations for children, and transfer vaccine production technology to the country.

PM Chính invited the COVAX Managing Director to visit Việt Nam to discuss ways to step up cooperation.