Health Ministry negotiates to buy COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long held an online working session with representatives of Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company on the morning of June 4 to discuss the import of COVID-19 vaccine from the firm into Vietnam.
  • Vietnam targets herd immunity with COVID-19 by early 2022

Minister Long shared that the country is keen on gaining access to vaccines as soon as possible in order to serve the needs of the people. He therefore expressed hope that Johnson & Johnson would arrange to supply COVID-19 vaccine doses and co-operate in outsourcing and technology transfer to establish a local vaccine factory in the near future.

Currently, several major Vietnamese groups aspire to engage in the global vaccine supply chain, Minister Long emphasised, adding that the nation is also one of more than 40 countries that can produce vaccines to serve its own domestic vaccination needs. As a result of this, the vaccine production experience of Vietnamese factories is guaranteed.

“Vietnam's National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for vaccines has also been certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) after meeting its standards. Therefore, Vietnam highly wants Johnson & Johnson to transfer its technology to help the nation produce vaccines domestically," Minister Long said.

In terms of Johnson & Johnson's ability to supply COVID-19 vaccines, the company's representative stated that it has joined the COVAX mechanism with a commitment to supply 200 million doses by the end of 2021.

Moving forward, they are fully committed to redoubling efforts to speed up the supply of vaccines through the COVAX mechanism, thereby ensuring that the country is able to access Johnson & Johnson's vaccine as soon as possible.

The company's representative also said that it plans to apply for a license for a COVID-19 vaccine in Vietnam. Simultaneously, the company will study the possibility of transferring vaccine production technology to the nation.

Recently the country has been in the process of urgently licensing three COVID-19 vaccines, including those from AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Sinopharm.

The Vietnamese COVID-19 vaccine campaign initially started on March 8 using AstraZeneca's vaccine. To date, more than 1.1 million doses have been administered, with more than 30,000 people receiving two shots of the vaccine.

VOV

Other News

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Under the plan, all central and local media outlets are required to launch columns on the campaign, maintain regular coverage, and produce at least five to seven in-depth reports each month in key search areas. Media agencies will also be encouraged to gather and verify valuable information and develop high-quality products in both Vietnamese and foreign languages, including feature articles, documentaries, reports and short videos.

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu expressed confidence that the establishment will serve as a strong spiritual anchor for Vietnamese people living in Japan while contributing to friendship and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

Cyberspace now runs through children’s learning, entertainment, and daily lives, but warned it is laced with dangerous content, online insults, threats, and seemingly harmless clicks that can trigger fraud, data breaches, and risks children who are not yet equipped to handle.

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

A scholar has stressed the need for Vietnam to make use of cooperation opportunities arising from the RoK’s foreign policy, particularly in semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, digital transformation, and green energy, as well as chances in multilateral diplomacy.

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

Pham Van Hat is best known as the creator of the made-in-Vietnam “Seed Sowing Robot,” now exported to 15 countries, alongside dozens of practical inventions that have eased labour for thousands of farmers.

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Films, music, television programmes, e-books, video games, journalistic works, images and creative data can now be copied, edited and redistributed within minutes. While copyright violations were once linked mainly to pirated discs or counterfeit books, infringements have shifted online with faster speed, wider scale and greater anonymity.

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Consul General Nguyen Viet Kien stressed President Ho Chi Minh’s reputation and career transcended Vietnam’s borders to inspire liberation movements worldwide, and that his ideas on the right to self-determination, peace, and friendship among nations remain deeply relevant today.

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

A key target under the new plan is the establishment of five digital technology incubators, or Deeptech Hubs, at universities and research institutes with strong potential. The education ministry also plans to launch a training programme for 1,000 outstanding technology entrepreneurs and develop criteria for selecting and supporting startup ecosystems within educational institutions.

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.