Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs a government meeting on March 17, 2021, to review Vietnam’s COVID-19 response. (Photo: VGP)

“Fighting a pandemic is like fighting an enemy” has been the guiding principle of the medical sector and every locality. Early on after the outbreak, the government’s motto “go to every alley, knock on every door” has been implemented. Contact tracing was done at a lightning speed. The public supported the government’s COVID-19 counter-measures. Those factors resulted in Vietnam’s win over three COVID-19 surges.  

Vietnam has so far recorded 2,560 COVID-19 cases. 2,186 patients have recovered and 35 have died.

The Prime Minister asked cabinet members to draw lessons, make predictions, and devise solutions to keep the virus at bay.

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long announced at the meeting that nearly 20,700 Vietnamese people have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. A few experienced anaphylaxis but are in stable condition now. The Ministry of Health is providing training courses for local health departments and following an inoculation plan to ensure maximal safety.

The Ministry is contracting to buy vaccines and is seeking vaccines through the COVAX Facility, which has pledged to provide 30 million doses and vaccination supplies for free. COVAX Facility said 4.1 million doses produced by AstraZeneca will arrive in Vietnam in May. Vietnam Vaccine JSC (VNVC) will buy an additional 30 million doses from AstraZeneca. The Ministry of Health is negotiating with Pfizer to buy 30 million doses this year. Locally produced vaccines should be available in 2022.