More than US$11 million donated to COVID-19 vaccine fund
VGP – As much as VND264.8 billion (around US$11.5 million), US$8,700 and €2,700 were donated to the COVID-19 vaccine fund as of 16.00 pm of June 4.
On June 4 alone, the fund received about VND160.9 billion (nearly US$7 million), US$5,370 and €720.
The fund is scheduled to officially make its debut in the evening of June 5 in Ha Noi. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, leaders from the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, ministries, sectors, and socio-political organizations, and representatives of the people and the business community will attend the event.
In late May, PM Pham approved a COVID-19 vaccine fund to rally support from local and foreign individuals and organizations for purchase, import, research and production of COVID-19 vaccines.
The fund, directly managed by the Ministry of Finance, welcomes voluntary financial and vaccine aid, assistance and contributions as well as other lawful resources.
The ministry was tasked to run the fund in line with legal regulations in an open, transparent and effective manner.
The Ministry of Finance submitted a proposal to the Government for approval of a VND25.2 trillion (US$1.1 billion) COVID-19 vaccine fund.
The total funding includes VND16 trillion from the State budget while the rest will be mobilized from local budget, business community, and organizations.
The fund will be used to purchase 150 COVID-19 vaccine doses for around 75 million Vietnamese.
Viet Nam has received a total of 2,611,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses, including 2,493,600 ones shipped by the COVAX Facility.
More than 1,156,056 front liners, including health workers have been vaccinated between March 8 and June 3, according to the Ministry of Health.
As of June 5 noon, the Southeast Asian country confirmed 8,458 COVID-19 cases, including 5,340 local infections reported in 29 cities and provinces since April 27 when the fourth wave of local transmissions broke out./.
By Thuy Dung
