AstraZeneca pledges to deliver more vaccines to Vietnam
CEO of AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot has pledged to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam on schedule as well as increase vaccine supplies to the country this month.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during the phone talks (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - CEOof AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot has pledged to deliver COVID-19 vaccines toVietnam on schedule as well as increase vaccine supplies to the country thismonth.
During a phone talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh onAugust 19, Soriot said AstraZeneca will also do its best to meet Vietnam’s requests.
PM Chinh, for his part, spoke highly of AstraZeneca’s role and contributionsto the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the world and in Vietnam. He affirmedthat AstraZeneca vaccines contribute importantly to driving back thepandemic across the world, including in Vietnam.
He suggested that the CEO instruct the acceleration of vaccine delivery to Vietnam along with the completion of a contract to provide the country with more vaccinesin September and later this year.
The PM proposed AstraZeneca discuss with other countries the possibility of borrowing or repurchasing the vaccines that those countries do not need at present, while stepping up the implementation of contracts on vaccines for children and those aged below 18, and those at high risk andhaving underlying diseases.
The Vietnamese Government always encourages and create favourable conditions for foreign firms to operate and expand operations in Vietnam in pharmaceuticalsand health care, he said, stressing that Vietnam wants to foster strategic,comprehensive and long-term partnership with AstraZeneca not only in vaccines.
𒆙 It was the second time in a short period that PM Chinh has directly talked with asenior representative of AstraZeneca to accelerate the delivery of vaccines toVietnam, showing the Vietnamese Government’s high determination and drastic actionsto carry out its vaccine diplomacy policy and the Party and State’s consistent policyof placing the people’s health and safety above others./.
Ho Chi Minh City, the country's current largest COVID-19 hotspot, is estimated to need 5.5 million doses of vaccine in August, according to the municipal People’s Committee’s proposal on vaccine distribution.
Vietnam administered over 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine on August 10, the highest one-day increase since the country starts its vaccination campaign on March 8, according to the health ministry's report on August 11.
As many as 1,113,400 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on August 13 morning, according to the Vietnam Vaccine Company (VNVC).
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço met with the press right after concluding their talks and witnessing the signing of seven cooperation agreements between the two countries in Luanda on August 7.
State President Luong Cuong stressed the fraternal ties between Vietnam and Angola as a shared invaluable asset. It serves as a solid foundation for both countries to enter a new phase of development, further foster political trust and mutual support between the two Parties and States, and deepen the solidarity and mutual understanding between their people.
At the dialogue, both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensive and extensive development of bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during the phone talks (Photo: VNA) 
