UNICEF Việt Nam Representative Rana Flowers and Australia’s Ambassador to Việt Nam Robyn Mudie with the vaccines delivered to be stored at the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hà Nội. — Photo courtesy of UNICEF Việt Nam

HÀ NỘI — Australia has delivered 3.6 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses to Việt Nam over recent weeks through a procurement agreement with UNICEF and in partnership with the Việt Nam Ministry of Health, UNICEF said on Saturday.

The last 2.2 million doses arrived at Tân Sơn Nhất in HCM City today.

This delivery completes Australia’s commitment to donate 7.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Việt Nam.

In addition to the Pfizer doses procured through UNICEF, Australia has shared 4.2 million AstraZeneca doses from its own supply since August last year.

Australia’s Ambassador to Việt Nam, Robyn Mudie welcomed the delivery, saying that Australia was a close friend and partner of Việt Nam and that the two would continue to “unite in our shared fight against COVID-19.”

“Việt Nam has made tremendous progress with its COVID-19 vaccine rollout and I am proud that Australia could contribute towards this important work. It is critical to saving lives and boosting economic recovery."

UNICEF Representative Rana Flowers said: “We are grateful to the Government of Australia for sharing these life-saving vaccine doses with the Vietnamese people. Việt Nam has proven itself highly efficient in the safe delivery of vaccines, ensuring that these are utilised effectively."

"These vaccines will help Việt Nam in its effort to reach all, extending to children and ensuring the rollout of booster doses. All of which contributes to a reduction in the severity of disease experienced, and importantly protects hospitals and the health workers from being overwhelmed”.

The Pfizer doses were purchased with UNICEF’s support through Australia’s AU$60 million package of support for Việt Nam’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Australia is also partnering with UNICEF to ensure vaccine distribution is safe, effective and equitable.

The Australia-UNICEF partnership has bolstered the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign, supporting the delivery of 1,910 refrigerators to hard-to-reach communes, healthcare worker training, and communications campaigns. 

Australia’s vaccine dose deliveries and the package of support make it one of Việt Nam’s top partners supporting the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Over 190.2 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered in Việt Nam to date, with 57 out of 63 localities reporting higher than 90 per cent coverage in the adult population. — VNS