First Batch Of COVID-19 Vaccine Doses From COVAX Facility Set To Arrive This Week

A health worker of Yen The District Medical Center in the northern province of Bac Giang receives the first shot of AstraZeneca vaccine dose

The Southeast Asian country is set to receive 30 million doses through the COVAX Facility – a global pooled procurement mechanism for COVID-19 vaccines through which COVAX will ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all 190 participating economies, using an allocation framework formulated by WHO.

The next delivery of 2.8 million doses is expected on April 25, said the ministry.

Viet Nam began the first wave of vaccination program on March 8 after receiving 117,600 AstraZeneca vaccine doses, with 32,361 front liners in 13 cities and provinces vaccinated to date.

These localities have been hit by the third wave of local transmissions since January 27, 2021.

The program has been placed under strict supervision of the Ministry of Health.

Last week, the ministry released guidance on health screening before COVID-19 vaccination for people aged 18 and above.

Accordingly, the following people will not be vaccinated against COVID-19: People with acute diseases; Pregnant women, breastfeeding women; People with impaired immune responses, end-stage cancer patients, patients with decompensated cirrhosis; Users of high-dose corticosteroids, chemotherapy and radiation treatment within 14 days; Recipients of immunoglobulin and COVID-19 plasma treatment within last 90 days; Recipients of other vaccines within 14 days; Those infected with COVID-19 within last six months; People aged 65 or above; People suffering thrombocytopenia or blood clotting disorders.

As of 6:05 am on Monday, Viet Nam confirmed 2,572 COVID-19 infection cases, including 2,198 recoveries and 35 fatalities./.

By Huong Giang