Australia delivers additional 300,000 COVID-19 vaccines

Australia delivers an additional 300,000 COVID-19 vaccines, increasing its support to 5.2 million doses

The 300,000 Australian-manufactured AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in Hanoi last week. More than 700,000 doses have now been delivered to Vietnam, as part of Australia’s commitment to share 1.5 million doses.

Ambassador Mudie announced that Australia will increase its support to Vietnam by assisting it to purchase approximately 3.7 million additional COVID-19 vaccine doses. These vaccine doses will be purchased through a procurement agreement with UNICEF and in partnership with Vietnam’s Ministry of Health. This will bring Australia’s contribution of vaccine doses to Vietnam to approximately 5.2 million.

Australia’s commitment to support COVID-19 vaccine access in Vietnam is now worth AUD60 million ($43.7 million). In addition to Australia’s support for vaccine delivery in Vietnam, Australia is working in partnership with UNICEF to support cold chain upgrades, training for healthcare workers, communications, and planning and implementation of the vaccine rollout in remote provinces in Vietnam.

Ambassador Mudie at the official handover with Deputy Minister for Health Truong Quoc Cuong

In announcing the increased contribution, Ambassador Mudie said: “As a close friend and partner, Australia is committed to supporting Vietnam in its fight against COVID-19. I am pleased to see more vaccine doses from Australia arrive in Hanoi and delighted that Australia has increased its commitment to support Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

The 5.2 million vaccine doses which Australia will help Vietnam to secure will play a critical role in Vietnam’s efforts to contain the pandemic. Along with Australia’s support for vaccine delivery and other technical assistance, the doses will help Vietnam to chart a course towards economic recovery. We are proud to stand with Vietnam in the fight against COVID-19.”

Ambassador Mudie also handed over personal protective equipment that Australia recently delivered to Vietnam. This equipment, which included 307,200 N95 respirator masks, 307,200 surgical masks, and 40,800 isolation gowns, will assist Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19.