Deputy PM lauds businesses' contributions to COVID-19 vaccine fund

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, met on June 4 with representatives from associations and businesses that have contributed ideas and support to the Fund for Vaccination Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

On behalf of the committee, the Deputy PM thanked Vietnam’s business community for its efforts to overcome the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, affirming that Vietnam’s economy continues to develop on the back of the ceaseless efforts of businesses.

He said that there are insufficient vaccine doses in Vietnam, not because of a lack of funds but because of scarce global supply.

The Government hopes the people and the business community will further contribute effort, intelligence, and funding to preventing and controlling the pandemic in general and accessing vaccines in particular.

The establishment of the Fund for Vaccination Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 aims to ensure sustainable financial sources for vaccinations against COVID-19, he noted.

Along with those prioritised for vaccinations under Resolution No 21/NQ-CP, the Ministry of Health (MoH) should soon add high-risk groups such as workers in factories and construction sites and those who work in poorly ventilated areas and have regular contact with many people, updating their health status for initial screening and preparing for vaccinations, he said.

Dam affirmed that the Government does not require businesses to pay for vaccinations for their employees, adding that the MoH plans to buy 170 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc welcomed effective and timely efforts and direction from the Government in the fight against COVID-19, in a spirit of “fighting the pandemic is like fighting an enemy” while ensuring the dual goal of pandemic containment and economic development.

Vietnamese businesses will continue to make contributions to the fund, serving vaccine procurement and import as well as research and production in the country, he stressed.