Australia donates 3.6 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam

Australia has delivered a haul of 3.6 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam over recent weeks through a procurement agreement signed with UNICEF and in partnership with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health.

According to UNICEF, February 19 saw the last 2.2 million doses arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, thereby completing Australia’s commitment to donate 7.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the country.

Along with the Pfizer doses procured through UNICEF, Australia has also shared a further 4.2 million AstraZeneca doses from its own supply since August last year.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie welcomed the delivery, stating that Australia remain a close friend and partner to Vietnam, with both sides keen to continue to unite in their shared fight against COVID-19.

Rana Flowers, representative of UNICEF, confirmed that the vaccines will help Vietnam in its effort to reach all people, extending to children and ensuring the rollout of booster doses.

The Australia-UNICEF partnership has contributed to bolstering the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign, supporting the delivery of 1,910 refrigerators to hard-to-reach communes, healthcare worker training, and communications campaigns.

The deliveries of the vaccines by Australia and the package of support make it one of the country’s leading partners in supporting the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign.