Vietnamese Government has asked UK-based AstraZeneca to deliver at least 10 million doses of vaccine to Vietnam prior to early August.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Nitin Kapoor, Company President of Vietnam & Frontier Marketsat AstraZeneca (middle) at an urgent meeting on June 29. Photo: VGP

The request was made by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at an urgent meeting with Nitin Kapoor, Company President of Vietnam & Frontier Marketsat AstraZeneca, on June 29. 

He suggested that AstraZeneca closely coordinate with Vietnam, promote and effectively help the production of vaccines in the country and reduce the selling price of inoculants.

Prime Minister Chinh underlined the above proposals of the Vietnamese Government would help roll out the strategy of vaccines and free injections for people, in a timely, safe and effective manner”.

Nitin Kapoor committed to bringing at least eight million doses of vaccine to Vietnam in July and early August. He also promised to consider offering the best vaccine prices for Vietnam.

The British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biotechnology company will help and support Vietnam to produce vaccines, increase investment in outsourcing and production of necessary drugs in Vietnam such as drugs for cancer, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal tract, and some types of medicine for children.

Vietnam, so far, has received a total of nearly 4.5 million doses of vaccine, including nearly 2.5 million doses supported by the Covax Facility, more than 400,000 doses purchased through the local vaccine delivery company VNVC, and nearly one million doses donated by Japan.

In early July, Vietnam will receive additional one million doses of vaccine sponsored by Japan. All of these vaccines are from AstraZeneca.

Vietnam has approved AstraZeneca, Russia’s Sputnik V, China’s Sinopharm, the Pfizer/BioNTech, and Moderna vaccines.