The Ministry of Health has moved to license the AstraZeneca novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine developed by Oxford University in the UK to be used to combat the pandemic in Vietnam.

The deal agreed by the Ministry will see the UK-based vaccine producer AstraZeneca commit to supplying 30 million doses to the country during the first quarter of 2021.

AstraZeneca has also stated that its vaccine is able to fight against new variants of the virus which have emerged.

Furthermore, the Ministry will continue to work alongside Astra Zeneca and other partners, including the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna of the United States, in an effort to supply more vaccines and ensure that all Vietnamese people can access COVID-19 vaccines.

Currently a total of four vaccines are under development by local vaccine producers. This includes the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC), the Company for Vaccine and Biological Production No. 1 (VABIOTECH), the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC (NANOGEN), and the Centre for Immunization Vaccines (POLYVAC).

The phase one of clinical trials of Nanocovax, the first vaccine to be NANOGEN Company, is due to be finalized by January 21 and the second phase is set to be conducted in early February.

Moreover, the second homegrown vaccine Covivax started to test on humans on January 21 and is set to be finished by late February, with the second phase to be launched in March.