First batches of COVID-19 vaccine from the COVAX Facility, including about 1.37 million doses of AstraZeneca, are set to arrive in Vietnam on March 25, heard the meeting.
Earlier, the global initiative committed 30 million doses for Vietnam this year in several phases.
The MoH has negotiated with other vaccine developers in the world in an endeavour to expand the COVID-19 vaccine coverage across the country.
The MoH also called on firms to access other vaccine suppliers to import the vaccines for domestic use, in accordance with Resolution No. 21 of the Government on the purchase and use of COVID-19 vaccines.
The Steering Committee affirmed the use of all channels to bolster negotiations on vaccine procurement, stating that even when there are sufficient doses of vaccine, equitable access must be ensured under the MoH’s coordination.
It also asked the ministry to devise a system to keep watch on those who are at high-risk of infection.
Relevant agencies were requested to complete a technical platform, paving the way for the “visa vaccine” policy by this April.
At the meeting, experts also underlined an order to review units which are responsible for COVID-19 testing, following several cases tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 abroad although their samples at home showed negative results.
Since January 25, Vietnam reported 897 COVID-19 cases in 13 localities, 11 of them underwent more than 23 days without new infections./. VNA
