The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who is also head of the steering committee.

The standing board agreed on specific instructions to create favourable conditions for local authorities and businesses to access and purchase vaccines and quickly transport them to Vietnam.

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Scene of the meeting.

The Health Ministry will work with authorized suppliers and Ho Chi Minh City’s administration on the city’s needs for vaccines.

Localities and businesses must be cautious when seeking vaccines to avoid the case when the manufacturer commits to selling them but deliver in 2022, not in this year.

The standing board urged the Health Ministry to early issue a document on extending the groups prioritized to receive vaccination, while preparing for launching the free-of-charge expanded vaccination drive and on-demand paid vaccination service after completing inoculation for priority groups.

Participants agreed to create the best possible conditions for the trial of homegrown vaccine. If the trial goes well, in the context of vaccine scarcity the Ministry of Health will submit to competent agencies for approval for use homegrown vaccines in emergency circumstances.

The Ministry of Health will coordinate with ministries and sectors to submit to the Government a proposal on accessing all vaccine supply sources in the world towards the goal of achieving herd immunity by the end of 2021, and create mechanisms to facilitate investors’ investment in the production of vaccines in the country to serve not only domestic use but also export.

The health ministry reported that in the coming time, along with Pfizer vaccine already bought, Vietnam is expected to receive a number of vaccines that have been approved for emergency circulation by the World Health Organisation.

Source: VNA