WHO highly appreciates Việt Nam’s COVID-19 vaccine access and progress

Takeshi Kasai, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific, on Monday congratulated Việt Nam and highly appreciated its efforts in accessing COVID-19 vaccines and conducting the vaccination campaign.

During a meeting with Việt Nam’s health authority on Monday, the official said that WHO was also proud to have supported Việt Nam successfully in building a vaccine administration to meet international standards on vaccine management.

He congratulated Việt Nam on changing its orientation towards safely and flexibly living with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Takeshi Kasai said that WHO would continue to accompany Việt Nam in pandemic prevention, in training, improving the capacity of human resources as well as in issues related to vaccines, especially those for COVID-19.

At the meeting, Minister of Health Nguyễn Thanh Long said that he was happy to receive Dr Takeshi Kasai, a close friend of the Vietnamese healthcare industry as he used to work as a WHO representative in Việt Nam.

Long also personally expressed his gratitude to WHO, Dr Takeshi Kasai and other WHO staff who have devoted attention and support to healthcare for the Vietnamese people over the years.

In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Việt Nam, WHO played an important role in planning policies, strategies, as well as implementing COVID-19 prevention and control measures, Long said.

"We thank WHO for its efforts to call on countries to support Việt Nam through the COVAX Facility. That support is of great significance, helping Việt Nam – a country with slower vaccine access than other countries – achieve many results in the vaccination campaign against COVID-19,” Long said.

Nearly all adults aged over 18 years old in Việt Nam have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and more than 92 per cent have received the second. Việt Nam expects to complete the 3rd injection for those over 18 years old by the end of the first quarter of 2021.

Regarding vaccination for children aged 12-17, more than half of provinces and cities across the country have provided second doses of vaccine for this group. Việt Nam is also waiting for WHO recommendations and guidelines for vaccinations for children aged 5-12.

Long added that Việt Nam highly appreciated the co-operation and support of WHO in other health areas such as strengthening the health system, preventing non-communicable diseases and other infectious diseases, elderly health, maternal and child health, environmental health, climate change, as well as promoting Việt Nam's integration in global health issues, communication and medical equipment.