Việt Nam News

Gov't approves $32.6mln to buy 5 million doses of Cuba's COVID-19 vaccine Abdala

October 01, 2021 - 16:18

Deputy Prime Minister Lê Minh Khái has agreed to release funds for the purchase, transportation and delivery of five million doses of COVID-19 vaccine Abdala produced by the Cuban Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

The first batch of Cuba's COVID-19 vaccine arrived with the return of President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc from Cuba late September 25, 2021. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Lê Minh Khái has agreed to release funds for the purchase, transportation and delivery of five million doses of COVID-19 vaccine Abdala produced by the Cuban Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

The total expense is VNĐ742.62 billion (US$32.6 million), taken from the National COVID-19 Vaccine Fund, which has so far received more than VNĐ 8.692 trillion ($382.5 billion) in donations as of Friday.

Việt Nam's commercial contract with Cuba, reportedly the Caribbean country's first vaccine export deal, was signed during last week's visit to Havana by Vietnamese President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

900,000 doses out of this deal arrived in Hà Nội on the aircraft bringing President Phúc back to the country late September 25, together with 200,000 doses donated by the Cuban defence ministry.

The expenditure approval, Decision No.1644/QD-TTg, was signed on September 30 and came following a proposal put forward by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Finance was assigned to allocate the expenditure from Việt Nam’s COVID-19 vaccine fund in line with regulations.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance are responsible for reporting the process and data.

The use, management, and settlement of the expense should be made in line with regulations, for the right purpose and in an economical, efficient, open and transparent manner.

The Ministry of Health must report the use of the expenditure to the Prime Minister in line with regulations.

Earlier on September 29, Deputy PM Khái also approved an expenditure of VNĐ 3.231 trillion ($142 million) to buy 20 million doses of Sinopharm’s Vero Cell Inactivated vaccine, as per the request of health and finance ministries.

VNĐ 1.237 trillion is sourced from the leftover budget for healthcare activities in 2020, and VNĐ 1.994 trillion is taken from the COVID-19 vaccine fund.

Việt Nam has received about 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine so far and has administered over 43 million shots. — VNS

Tags pandemic coronavirus vaccine Vietnam-Cuba relations Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Abdala vaccine COVID-19 vaccine

Urgent steps taken to ensure passenger safety during Tết travel rush

Society

Foreign fishermen rescued by local fishing boat, coast guards

Society

Yên Bái government creating foundations for Yagi victims

Society

Việt Nam National University - HCM City forges global partnerships in research, training

Society

Organ donation campaign kicks off in HCM City

Society

Students make Macapuno milk beverage

More on this story

Society

Three out of five latest community COVID-19 cases in Hà Nội are foreigners

The Hà Nội Centre for Diseases Control (CDC) announced five community cases on Friday morning, including three foreigners.

Society

Ministry of Transport issues guidance on passenger transport activities as lockdown eases

The Ministry of Transport has just issued temporary guidance on passenger transport activities to ensure safety, flexibility and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Society

HCM City to transport workers back to city as it reopens economy

HCM City will arrange for vehicles to pick up workers from other provinces and bring them back to the city after the country’s COVID-19 hotspot on Friday began relaxing social distancing measures.

Society

HCM City ends lockdown, removing barriers and fixed COVID-19 check points

People in HCM City are now able to leave their homes after three months of strict pandemic prevention restrictions.

Society

Credit package proposed to support students in equipment purchase for online study

The Ministry of Finance has proposed to the Government a credit package to support poor pupils and students in buying computers and equipment for online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Society

Unemployment insurance fund to spend US$1.3 million on supporting employees and employers

The Government has just issued Resolution No. 116/NQ-CP on policies to support employees and employers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic from the Unemployment Insurance Fund, according to which unemployment insurance fund will spend US$1.3 million on supporting employees and employers. Deputy General Director of Việt Nam Social Insurance Lê Hùng Sơn talks to the media about the meaning, beneficiaries and necessary procedures of this support package.

Society

Migrant workers crowd HCM City's gateways in attempt to leave, even as city relaxes lockdown

After many hours stuck at the COVID-19 check points at the city's border with Long An Province at least until the early hours of Friday, many – including children – had to resort to raincoats, carton papers, and hammocks to spend the night on the pavements

Society

Work on 22 major traffic projects in HCM City to resume on Friday

Construction of 22 major traffic projects in HCM City will resume work after being suspended for months amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Society

HCM City to urgently disburse third support package

Thủ Đức City together with 21 districts and 312 wards and communes across HCM City are rushing to review data of eligible recipient groups. Aiming to support citizens affected by COVID-19, the VNĐ7.347 billion package is expected to provide for more than 7.3 million people living in the city regardless of their residence status.