Gov’t allows HCMC to import COVID-19 vaccines
VGP – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has allowed the Ho Chi Minh City Municipal People’s Committee to purchase and import COVID-19 vaccines by itself.
The southern metrololis, the biggest economic hub in Viet Nam, is home to more than 7.2 million residents aged 18 and above, including 1.6 million people working at its industrial parks.
The city is one of the 40 localities currently hit by the fourth wave of COVID-19 resurgence that started on April 27, with 961 community infection cases as of 6:30 pm on June 15.
As it has been allocated 140,000 vaccine doses from the central Government, the city needs more autonomy to accelerate vaccination in order to reach the goal of herd immunity.
Under the Government’s Resolution No. 21/NQ-CP dated February 26, 2021, the Government tasks the Ministry of Health to be responsible for licensing, checking and managing the quality of vaccines.
The ministry is also responsible for providing vaccination guidelines to ensure safety and effectiveness.
The Government has repeatedly said all possible measures must be taken and all obstalces must be cleared to have vaccines as soon as possible as it had set the goal of inoculating 75 percent of the population by the end of this year, which requires some 150 million vaccine doses./.
By Quang Minh
