Diageo Vietnam, a British multinational beverage company, has donated VND3 billion (US$129,600) to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper’s crowdfunding campaign for COVID-19 vaccination. During a presentation ceremony at Tuoi Tre ’s headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday, Le The Chu, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, expressed his deep appreciation toward Diageo Vietnam’s community spirit. “We initiated the crowdfunding campaign to gather possible resources and build up a large COVID-19 vaccine stock in Vietnam, aimed at protecting the public’s health and securing equitable vaccination in the society," said Chu. “Diageo Vietnam has responded to our call, making it among the foreign-invested enterprises that have a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility and charitable spirits.” Titled 'Making COVID-19 Vaccine Contributions with Tuoi Tre ,' the campaign’s goal is to help Vietnam acquire a sufficient number of COVID-19 vaccine doses for the entire population. Speaking at the ceremony, Jos Duursema, COO of Diageo Vietnam, expressed his gratitude for being able to stay in one of the safest countries in the world thanks to the Vietnamese government’s effective measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s an honor to partner with Tuoi Tre and help Vietnam enter the next stage of the COVID-19 fight," Duursema emphasized. "Given the close collaboration between the government and its citizens all over the country, Vietnam has done an amazing job so far in containing the outbreaks.” Aside from the remarkable success in combating COVID-19, Vietnam has curbed its adversities in every socio-economic aspect, which is attributable to the effective mobilization of resources in its society and the connection of individuals, organizations, and unions to act for a common goal of stamping out the pandemic and protecting the safety and health of the community. Diageo Vietnam also dedicated its donation “specifically to buying vaccines for …
Coronavirus vaccine
Vietnam eyes potential of homemade Covid-19 vaccine
The Hanoitimes - Vietnamese scientists have been making all effort for locally-made Covid-19 vaccine to be applied in massive vaccination program nationwide. Made -in- Vietnam COVID - 19 vaccine could ensure the country's health security and open up hard currency earning opportunities from export. Vietnamese authorities have authorized Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Joint Stock Company (Nanogen) to proceed with clinical trials of its Covid-19 vaccine. After just five months sparing no efforts, boosting creativity and speeding up the research, Nanogen has successfully produced its Nanocovax vaccine candidate and put it into human trials twice. Volunteers register to join the clinical trials of Nanocovax vaccine. Photo: Thai Son Four Vietnamese pharmaceutical companies and agency including Nanogen, Vabiotech, Polyvac and the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) are currently researching anti-Covid-19 vaccines. Each of them has a different approach to technology. Nanocovax is Vietnam's first Covid-19 vaccine candidate to reach the in-human trial stage. Three other projects are ongoing, including a joint-development effort with Russia. Made-in-Vietnam Covid-19 vaccine may be ready by end-2021 Trinh Thanh Hung, deputy head of Department of Science and Technology for Economic-Technical Branches under the Ministry of Science and Technology, told Hanoitimes that this is the first time a private unit has stepped into vaccine research and production and has shown its own advantages. With the momentum of successful drug research, Nanogen gained the “plus points” thanks to its research capability, modern production line and great determination, Hung added. Recently, volunteers being administered a second dose of 50 mcg of Nanocovax vaccine have shown no unwanted effects or serious complications, so it is expected that by the end of 2021 there will be an official locally-made Covid-19 vaccine. …
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Vietnam could welcome vaccinated foreign tourists starting July: experts
Nguyen Huu Tho, chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association (VTA), said Vietnam has been one of the most successful countries in containing Covid-19 outbreaks, creating favorable conditions for the tourism industry to open up to international markets since the beginning of the third quarter. He cited Thailand, which plans to open its doors to foreign tourists already vaccinated against the coronavirus from July 1, and Singapore, which is ready to do the same. "Vietnam should prepare to receive international visitors from July to help the heavily-hit tourism industry recover as 95 percent of inbound travel firms have suspended operation," Tho told a meeting Wednesday. "Promoting domestic tourism could bring in revenue but cannot save the tourism industry. The roadmap to opening up the international market is the only solution," he added. Nguyen Thi Khanh, chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, said it is necessary to prepare a set of criteria for picking up foreign passengers as soon as possible, as many countries do not require isolation of vaccinated tourists or those carrying Covid-19 negative certificates. The industry should aim at international markets that have responded effectively to the pandemic. Vu The Binh, VTA deputy chairman, said opening of international markets could meet with difficulties and public opposition for fears of causing further Covid-19 outbreaks. However, Binh affirmed Vietnam should avoid lagging behind other economies that recognize vaccine passports, proving a bearer's Covid-19 vaccination status. Vietnam has been struggling with its latest Covid-19 outbreak that began on Jan. 28 after a 55-day clean streak, with 879 community transmissions recorded. So far, the outbreak situation in the country is basically under control, with many localities resuming non-essential services. While the production of domestic vaccines is underway, the government has speeded up foreign procurement to inoculate prioritized …
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