First COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Viet Nam
VGP – The Coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford has been approved for use in urgent situation in Viet Nam, said Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long.
 |
|
Oxford- Astra Zeneca vaccine. Photo credit: AFP |
>>> Thirty-fourth community cases of COVID-19 take tally to 1,739
>>> PM demands more drastic measures to stamp out COVID-19 outbreaks before Lunar New Year
This is the first COVID-19 vaccine approved by Viet Nam so far.
Astra Zeneca pledged to supply 30 million doses for Viet Nam this year, said Long, adding that the ministry is still working with other partners in a bid to increase source of supply.
It is expected that Oxford- Astra Zeneca vaccine will be available in the first quarter this year, according to the health minister.
The country is also stepping up vaccine research and development as well as clinical trials.
The first stage of human trials of the first home-grown vaccine, Nanocovax, began on December 17, 2020 with 60 volunteers while the second one, Covivac on January 21, 2021.
Nanocovax, developed by the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, planned to start the second phase of human trials in early February.
Meanwhile Covivac will began second phase of human trials in March.
Beside the aforesaid vaccines, two other homegrown vaccines are under development by the Vaccine and Biological Production Company No. 1 (Vabiotech) and the Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals (Polyvac)./.
By Thuy Dung
