Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, representing the Vietnamese Government, received the COVID-19 vaccine batch at the airport.
    |
 |
|
Batch of COVID-19 vaccine donated by Japan arrives in Vietnam. |
Addressing the event, Minister Long expressed his joy to receive the vaccine shipment as donation by the Japanese Government, saying that this gift is an example of the flourishing relations between Vietnam and Japan, especially amid the complicated developments of the pandemic and critical shortages of vaccines on a global scale.
Vietnam is committed to effectively use of the vaccine as soon as possible, Long said, adding this batch of the vaccine would be transported to Ho Chi Minh City on June 17 morning to inoculate the people and workers in the southern city.
He also said that Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia that has received COVID-19 vaccine aid from Japan.
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio said the donation is a testament to the longstanding friendship between Japan and Vietnam, and Japan wishes to connect with the international community, especially with Vietnam, to overcome the pandemic.
The Air Japan flight departed from Narita International Airport in Tokyo at 6:45pm on June 16, carrying temperature-controlled shipping containers to maintain 2-8 degrees Celsius, the ideal storage condition for AstraZeneca vaccines.
|
|
 |
|
Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long (fifth from the left) receiving the COVID-19 vaccine batch |
During the meeting with the Japanese Ambassador on June 15, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked the Japanese Government for the donation following his phone call with Japanese counterpart Suga Yoshihide.
Translated by VNA and Song Anh