Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh  on August 24 chaired a meeting with the Government’s working group on COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy. 

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh  chairs a meeting with the Government’s working
group on COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy, Government Office, Ha Noi, Viet Nam,
August 24, 2021. Photo: VGP

The meeting focused on reviewing outcomes of the work in the recent past and set out urgent tasks with the aim of quickly access and acquire as much and as early as possible vaccine, treatment drugs and medical supplies for the country.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, head of the working group, said Viet Nam has so far received about 23 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the COVAX Facility, other nations’ assistance, and under signed contracts. In August and September, more vaccine will be delivered by partners. In addition to vaccines, many countries, international organizations and overseas Vietnamese have sent medical supplies and equipment to aid Viet Nam’s fight against the pandemic.

The minister proposed a series of measures to promote the mobilization of the vaccine, treatment drugs and medical equipment in the time to come.

Members of the working group agreed that it is necessary to streamline related processes and procedures to suit the current situation of epidemic prevention and control.

Deputy PM Minh requested that the group make proposals to enhance Vietnam's role and responsibility in the COVAX Facility, and assist domestic businesses in accessing production technologies of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment drugs.

He instructed the group to promptly tackle difficulties and obstacles related to procedures for the reception of medical supplies supplied by partners and to speed up the access and negotiation for treatment drugs./. VNA