A Pfizer vaccine shot is being prepared in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam received about 1.4 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine aided by France over the weekend, bringing the total doses offered by the European donor to more than 2 million.

The freshly arrived vaccines, consisting of 400,000 doses via the bilateral diplomatic channel and nearly one million doses via the global vaccine sharing initiative COVAX Facility, was the result of Việt Nam’s vaccine diplomacy efforts and of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s earlier official visit to France in November.

The assistance of the French Government and people to Việt Nam amid complicated developments of COVID-19 is of important significance. It is a vivid testament of the strategic partnership between the two countries and affirms their mutual cooperation and support in pandemic prevention and control.

Việt Nam hopes France will continue its vaccine aid for and cooperate with Việt Nam in the production and technological transfer of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment drugs, as well as assist Việt Nam regarding related medical equipment and supplies. The sides should work together in putting forth creative collaboration measures and orientations for their early adaptation to post-pandemic conditions and gradual recovery of socio-economic activities.

According the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the country has so far donated 67 million doses of vaccines to more than 45 countries through the COVAX Facility, becoming the second biggest donor after the US.

The total number of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered in Việt Nam has reached 118,768,386, of which 69,747,303 being first doses and 49,021,083 being second doses. — VNS