PM urges creating all favourable conditions for domestic vaccine production

Domestic scientists and representatives of vaccine research and production units need to step up research and technological transfer for the domestic production of vaccines against COVID-19 as soon as possible.

PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the session. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the session. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made the request while chairing a working session with scientists and representatives of vaccine research and production unitsin Hanoi on June 7.

The session was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam who is also head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control; Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long and Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat.

Speaking at the session, PM Pham Minh Chinhunderscored that over the past time, thanks to the drastic direction of the Party and State, Party committees at all levels, local authorities, and the participation of the whole political system, and the consensus and responsibility of the entire people, Vietnam has been recognized as a bright spot in the world in terms of realising the “dual goal” of both epidemic prevention and control and socio-economic development.

The PM expressed his thanks to people from walks of life, scientists, all-level administrations and sectors for their concerted efforts, effectively fighting the pandemic and maintaining economic growth, particularly in terms of the donations to the national COVID-19 vaccine fund.

However, the COVID-19 epidemic is becoming more and more complicated, requiring anti-epidemic solutions under the new motto “5K+vaccine”, adding that the “vaccine strategy” is a fundamental, long-term and decisive solution to push back the pandemic.

The PM also emphasised that Vietnam must have enough COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate 75 million people this year. However, access to vaccine supply in the world faces difficulties, hence the strategic importance of domestic production, which is essential, he said.

According to the Health Ministry, two domestic vaccine producers are engaging in COVID-19 vaccine researchwith a combined production capacity of 30-40 million doses each year. Two others are negotiating with foreign partners to transfer technology with a capacity of 200-300 million doses annually.