Vietnam provides 500,000 doses of Covid vaccine

The Ministry of Health has welcomed a donation of 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine provided by the government of Vietnam, to support Laos’ efforts to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
As the Covid outbreak spreads in Laos, the government is mobilising assistance from various sectors and friendly countries to supplement its own resources.
Ministry of Health officials received the shipment of vaccine at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane last week.
“The arrival of the AstraZeneca vaccine donated by Vietnam is very timely as the government has set an ambitious target to vaccinate at least 80 percent of the population by the end of this year,” a senior ministry official said.
“This delivery will move us closer to achieving this target. I would like to stress that vaccines are our first line of defence against Covid-19,” he added.
“Not only have we been given the AstraZeneca vaccine by Vietnam, but we also welcome the support of all countries who can provide Covid vaccines, all of which have been emergency-use listed by the World Health Organisation, giving assurance about their quality, safety and efficacy.”
“Vietnam’s donation of 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine is part of efforts to get people in the most vulnerable parts of the world vaccinated as a matter of urgency,” he added.
The vaccine will primarily be given to people at high risk of Covid infection and those who have not yet had two vaccinations. Priority groups for vaccination include children aged 12 and over, pregnant women, and essential workers such as schoolteachers, as recommended in the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan. A Vietnamese representative said he greatly appreciated the contributions of all those involved, as this will reinforce the Lao government’s efforts to contain the virus.
The Vietnamese have promised to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Lao people at this challenging time, jointly strengthening epidemic prevention and control, and steadily enhancing bilateral cooperation, he added.
Vietnam has been an active provider of assistance to Laos in the fight against Covid-19 and has provided a number of aid packages. In May 2021, the People’s Army of Vietnam provided four medical specialists and equipment to support Laos’ response to the virus outbreak.
At the start of the pandemic in April 2020, Vietnam provided medical supplies worth more than 2 billion kip (over US$300,000).
This included 330,000 face masks, 1,000 sets of protective clothing, and other essential supplies.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos has received 329 million kip (nearly US$25,000) and US$1,700 for the Covid-19 Prevention Fund and the Covid-19 Vaccine Fund.
Lao and Vietnamese leaders have pledged to help each other overcome the pandemic through mutual support.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
 (Latest Update February 1, 2022)