Japanese donated COVID-19 vaccine batch arrives in Vietnam

Thứ Năm, 17/06/2021, 09:32

Nearly one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, a gift of the Japanese government and people to the government and people of Vietnam, arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi late on June 16.

The NH897 flight departing from Narita airport and carrying nearly 1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrives at Noi Bai International Airport at 10.00pm on June 16. (Photo: MoH)

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, representing the Vietnamese Government, received the batch of the Vaxzevria vaccine, known as the AstraZeneca vaccine, at the airport.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Long thanked the Japanese government and people for the valuable gift which he said demonstrates the fine relationship between Vietnam and Japan, especially in the context that COVID-19 vaccines are in short supply globally.

Vietnam is committed to using the vaccine most effectively, said Dr Long, adding that this batch of the vaccine would be immediately transported to Ho Chi Minh City on June 17 morning to support the COVID-19 fight there.

He also said that Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia that has received COVID-19 vaccine aid from Japan.

Japanese ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio emphasized that the gift is a testament to the long-standing friendship between Japan and Vietnam, and that Japan would like to work alongside the international community, especially Vietnam, to weather the COVID-19 crisis together.

VOV