Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Hanoi
(VNA) – The at the Ministry of Health (MoH) is
cooperating with other ministry agencies to license and build
plans for distribution, together with monitoring and evaluating the
effectiveness of the vaccine, a health expert has said.
Addressing an
online meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and
Control with representatives from the Hai Duong Provincial People’s Committee
on February 23, Tran Dac Phu, vice chairman of the advisory council for the granting
of drug and medicinal ingredient circulation certificates at
the MoH, affirmed that COVID-19 vaccinations will not be conducted on a mass
basis prior to full inspections, to ensure that people are
provided the safest vaccine possible.
Experts said the Astra
Zeneca vaccine is being delivered to Vietnam and has been prequalified by the
World Health Organisation (WHO). It can be used as soon as it is shipped to
Vietnam.
The MoH also said
that it only buys safe, highly-protective vaccines pre-assessed by WHO, approved
by a stringent regulatory authority (SRA), and with a good
price.
Phu also said that despite
the COVID-19 vaccine, people still need to strictly follow disease prevention
and control measures, in particular wearing masks when outdoors.
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
is spread by droplets, so wearing a mask is always the most effective measure
to prevent its spread, he explained.
The vaccination will
not immediately create immunity, he said, adding that it is also necessary to prevent
a new strain of the virus from appearing.
Members of the Steering Committee affirmed that the Government is directing the
acceleration of the production of a domestic vaccine, while ensuring
safety and effectiveness.
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said the ministry is developing a
master plan for vaccinations.
With a plan to vaccinate millions of people in a short time, Tuyen said
responding to and handling any complications that may occur after vaccination
is entirely within the capability of the health sector.
A list of those
enjoying free vaccines will follow the principle of giving priority to frontline forces and pandemic-hit localities.
Regarding this issue, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who is also head
of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, affirmed
that Vietnam is making every effort to quickly have a COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccines, both sourced from abroad and produced domestically, will be
provided free, like the Quinvaxem vaccine in the national expanded
immunisation programme, in the time to come, he noted./.
Source: VietnamPlus
