from the Republic of Korea (RoK), scheduled for late this week or early next week.

An overview of the press conference (Photo: VNA)

At the Government’s regular press conference in Hanoi on March 2, Cuong said the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccine, manufactured in the RoK, arrived in Vietnam on February 24.The Ministry of Health assigned the National Institute for Control of Vaccine and Biologicals to verify the batch of vaccine, which has been basically completed. It is now waiting for an accreditation certificate from the RoK before beginning the vaccination.

According to the official, the vaccination is in line with the Government’s Resolution No. 21/NQ-CP on the purchase and use of COVID-19 vaccines, which details nine priority groups for free inoculation.

Besides these groups, pandemic-hit localities will also be prioritised and Hai Duong province will be one of the first provinces and cities to get access to the vaccine.

According to the Resolution, individuals and organisations are also encouraged to voluntarily pay for vaccine shots.

When more vaccines are available, the Government is ready to expand inoculation for all having demand to achieve community immunisation.

As scheduled, another batch of AstraZeneca vaccine along with COVAX Facility vaccine will be delivered in late April. The ministry has prepared infrastructure and resources for storage and vaccination, he said./.VNA

Prime Minister orders start of Covid-19 vaccinations this week

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has instructed relevant agencies to start giving Covid-19 vaccinations this week.