COVID-19 vaccination for officials and employees of Hanoi Emergency Center 115 (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting, Minister Nguyen Thanh Long congratulated China, India and the Russian Federation on many important achievements in the fight against COVID-19, as well as in research, development and production of vaccines against COVID-19.

He also expressed his sincere thanks to the three countries for their support and cooperation for the care of the people's health in general, and the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic in Vietnam.

Working with Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo, Minister Nguyen Thanh Long congratulated China on implementing the vaccination program for more than 100 million people.

According to the Chinese Ambassador, China has now donated COVID-19 vaccines to 69 countries. Therefore, the Vietnamese Minister of Health suggested China assist Vietnamese in prioritized groups with vaccines, including Vietnamese citizens in need of travelling, exchanging and studying in China.

Meeting with Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verna, Minister Nguyen Thanh Long and the Ambassador discussed health cooperation programs, especially COVID-19 vaccine issues.

India currently produces two types of COVID-19 vaccines, including Covaxin. And a Vietnamese company has submitted an application to the Ministry of Health to apply for a license for Covaxin vaccine.

Regarding the proposal of the Vietnamese side to coordinate to support a clinical trial of phase 3 of COVID-19 vaccine researched and developed by Vietnam, the Indian side said that it would discuss this issue with research companies involved in India's vaccine development and production.

The Minister of Health suggested that the Indian side increase support and exchange with Vietnam to help Vietnam proactively produce a 5-in-1 vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII).

The two sides also discussed and agreed to increase investment in the production of pharmaceutical industry in Vietnam.

During the meeting with Mr. Bublikov Vadim, Russian Counselor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vietnam, the Minister of Health announced that Vietnam had conditionally approved the Russian vaccine Sputnik V, given the urgent need for epidemic prevention and control against COVID – 19.

Regarding Vietnam's proposals related to the supply of Sputnik V vaccine to Vietnam, as well as cooperation with Vietnam in the production of Sputnik V in Vietnam, the Russian Ambassador Counselor said he was ready to coordinate with the Ministry Health and ministries and agencies of Vietnam in implementing Sputnik V vaccine-related agreements./.

Compiled by BTA