Vietnam approves Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for emergency use

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has approved the Covid-19 vaccine of Pfizer/BioNTech for emergency use after reviewing the data on its safety and efficacy, as provided by Pfizer Vietnam.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is the latest Covid-19 vaccine authorised by Vietnam for emergency use. (Photo: VNA)
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is the latest Covid-19 vaccine authorised by Vietnam for emergency use. (Photo: VNA)

In its decision, the MOH asked the Drug Administration of Vietnam to be in charge of licensing the import of the vaccine, known as Comirnaty, when receiving the application of importers.

In the meantime, the Administration of Science, Technology and Training is responsible for selecting a qualified agency to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

The National Institute for the Control of Vaccines and Biologicals is tasked with auditing and granting certificates before being allowed to be distributed for use.

On June 12 an intensive care unit (ICU) centre with 100 beds set up at the Bac Ninh General Hospital was handed over to provincial authorities to help the province treat seriously ill Covid-19 patients.

The centre was completed in seven days with the assistance of the Ministry of Health and Bach Mai Hospital.

The ICU centre at the Bac Ninh General Hospital

On the same day, Bac Ninh also received a piece of software developed by the Ministry of Health to analyse data on the Covid-19 situation in the province.

The software features data such as the number of cases, with details down to commune level, close contacts of Covid-19 patients, tests and test result management, health declarations and domestic movement of patients, worker numbers and vaccinations.

With constantly updated data and insights, the software is expected to help Bac Ninh Province understand better the Covid-19 situation so as to implement appropriate measures.

In Ho Chi Minh City, two hospitals for treating Covid-19 patients were put into service on the afternoon of June 12 to share the burden with the municipal hospital for tropical diseases.

The Cu Chi Covid-19 Hospital features 500 beds and is staffed by doctors and nurses from the Gia Dinh People’s Hospital and other hospitals as assigned by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health.

In the meantime, half of the Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital was separated from the other to treat Covid-19 patients using 550 beds, including 66 ICU beds.