Viet Nam is in talks with four countries, namely the UK, the U.S., Russia and China to buy Covid-19 vaccines, said Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong.

Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong

Among the four countries, Viet Nam has reached an agreement with the UK-based vaccine producer AstraZeneca to guarantee the supply of 30 million doses for 15 million people between the first and the fourth quarter, Cuong said at a press conference on Monday.

He affirmed the ministry is working hard to ensure Vietnamese people will soon access the COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with Prime Minister’s direction.

At present, four vaccines are under development by local vaccine producers, namely 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).

Nanocovax, the first vaccine developed by NANOGEN, has entered phase one human trials since December 17, 2020 while the second homegrown vaccine is expected to be tested on humans in late January this year.

As of 6:05 pm on Sunday, Viet Nam confirmed 1,494 Covid-19 patients, including 693 local infections.

Of the nation's patient tally, 1,339 have recovered and exited hospitals while 35 others have been reported dead./.