Many Vietnamese businesses have donated billions of dong each to the national vaccine fund, making a great contribution to stamp out the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country.

On May 25, six giants including DOJI Group, TPBank, Phenikaa Group, Hoa Phat Group, SHB, and An Phat Holdings offered a total of VND125 billion (US$5.43 million), while Ecopark Group gave US$1 million, and T&T Group committed one million doses of vaccine.

On May 21, real estate developer Vingroup pledged aid worth four million Covid-19 vaccine doses. Earlier, it funded VND20 billion for the research and human trial of COVIVAC vaccine developed by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) and donated ventilators, personal protection equipment (PPE), and medical equipment worth a total of VND1.3 trillion (US$55.5 million).

The donation came after governmental leaders emphasized the need to have the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

In a meeting held in Hanoi on May 24, cabinet leader Pham Minh Chinh said the acquirement and production of vaccines must be faster, more drastic, and more effective

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a meeting on May 24. Photo: Nhat Bac/VGP

The acquirement and production of vaccines must be faster, more drastic, and more effective, Chinh said at a meeting on May 24.

He stressed that the pursuit of the vaccine strategy is “of utmost importance.”

The government demanded minimum regular spending to ensure the maximum budget for vaccine purchase.

Accordingly, relevant agencies need to immediately suggest mechanisms for the contribution and use of the vaccine fund, ensuring all contributions by domestic and foreign individuals, enterprises, and organizations to be made clear.

He asked the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), and local scientists to show more engagement in vaccine research and production. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for funding those activities.

Other agencies assume responsibility for the inoculation, mostly among frontline forces and workers in industrial parks.

Vaccination in Danang. Photo: Quang Hai/Kinh Te Do Thi

The government has been decisive in the vaccination even before the fresh coronavirus outbreak flared up in Vietnam in late April to pursue Vietnam’s twin goals of containing the virus and reviving the economy.

On May 18, the PM signed a resolution on vaccine purchase, saying that it’s an urgent task and must be done at the earliest.

The Ministry of Health said it has inked contracts to acquire this year 110 million doses of vaccines, including 38.9 million doses via COVAX Facility, 31 million doses by Pfizer, 30 doses by AstraZeneca, and 10 million doses via cost-sharing COVAX Facility.

In addition, it has diversified the supply, including Moderna, Johnson & Johnson (the US), CureVac (Germany), and Sputnik V (Russia).