Australia’s Ambassador to Việt Nam Andrew Goledzinowski (centre), UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Rana Flowers (left), and Deputy Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Dương Thị Hồng (right) stand next to one of the five refrigerated trucks given to Việt Nam through Australia’s partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health. — Photos courtesy of the Australian Embassy in Việt Nam.

HÀ NỘI — Five refrigerated trucks and an additional 4.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have arrived in Việt Nam from Australia.

The delivery was made through an agreement with UNICEF and in partnership with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health.

Three million adult Pfizer vaccine doses arrived in September in Hà Nội and HCM City. A further 1.2 million pediatric doses arrived on Monday in Hà Nội.

Australia has now shared more than 26 million COVID-19 vaccine doses with Việt Nam. 

The five refrigerated trucks will be stationed at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) in Hà Nội, Pasteur Institute in HCM City, Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang and the Central Highlands Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Đắk Lắk. 

These vehicles are essential to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and routine immunisation program as they ensure that vaccines are transported efficiently and safely across the country. 

Australia’s comprehensive package, which supports Việt Nam’s COVID-19 control, provides healthcare worker training, communications campaigns and outreach sessions to remote and hard-to-reach areas so that the most vulnerable populations are not left behind.

Australian Ambassador Goledzinowski holds up a box of refrigerated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, delivered to Hà Nội through Australia and UNICEF’s partnership.

Australian Ambassador to Việt Nam Andrew Goledzinowski welcomed the recent deliveries, highlighting Australia’s ongoing support for Việt Nam’s COVID-19 response. 

He said: “Australia has been proud to partner with Việt Nam since 2021 in support of the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign. 

“It’s great to see these recent deliveries – the vaccine doses will help boost the national COVID-19 vaccine campaign, and the trucks will support the vaccine rollout and contribute to broader health system strengthening efforts.” 

Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Việt Nam, said: “From the outset of the pandemic, UNICEF has prioritised ensuring safe vaccine storage and transportation, particularly to the harder-to-reach areas of Việt Nam. 

“The trucks and the additional vaccines, particularly for children, are most welcome and timely and contribute greatly to the ongoing efforts to keep Việt Nam safe from the COVID-19 outbreaks. 

“UNICEF will continue to support Việt Nam to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines, vaccination equipment and other medical equipment to respond to the fight against the pandemic and to ensure catch-up and continuity of routine vaccines for children.” — VNS