Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. — AFP/VNA Photo

HÀ NỘI — The first shipment of some 96,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech will be delivered to Hà Nội on Wednesday morning, according to the Vietnamese health ministry.

This is part of the order of 31 million doses for 2021 with the health ministry, with planned delivery of 3 million in third quarter and 28 million in fourth quarter.

The mRNA vaccine vials have a shelf life of up to six months if kept in ultra cold conditions (-80 degrees Celsius) and one month if stored at normal fridge temperature (2-8 degrees Celsius).

During a discussion with a Pfizer representative, the company reiterated its commitment to deliver the full 31 million doses order to Việt Nam as quickly as possible.

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (Corminaty) was the first to have been listed by WHO for emergency use (on December 31, 2020), and was given the conditional authorisation for use in emergency situations by Việt Nam's health authorities on May 28, 2021.

The mainstay of Việt Nam's vaccination drive to date has been AstraZeneca - 400,000 doses bought from the company on Việt Nam Vaccine Company's advance purchase agreement, 2.5 million doses from COVAX Facility, and 1.5 million doses donated from Japan.

As of 4pm Monday, 3,903,105 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Việt Nam, with the number of fully vaccinated  people reaching 226,858. — VNS