(Photo: AP) |
This is the first batch of Vietnam’s total order of 30 million doses of the vaccine, purchased directly from the manufacturer (with phased delivery expected throughout 2021). Additionally, the country is receiving 4.88 million doses under the WHO-led COVAX initiative, aimed at creating equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for poor and developing countries. The first batch is expected to be delivered by AstraZeneca Vietnam on February 28th.
Previously, Vietnamese health authorities have given emergency use approval for the UK’s AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, the first COVID-19 vaccine to obtain such authorization in the country.