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Vietnam reports an additional 4 imported COVID-19 cases. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam reports an additional 4 imported COVID-19 cases

Vietnam recorded another imported COVID-19 case from 6 am to 6 pm on April 11, raising the total number of infections to 2,693, said the Ministry of Health. The new patient is a 27-year-old man who has been quarantined since his entry via Ha Tien international border gate in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang on April 8.

The April 12 morning news of the Ministry of Health confirmed 3 additional imported cases of COVID-19 recorded in Hanoi and Thai Nguyen. All of them were immediately isolated and treated.

2nd home-grown vaccine to hit market in 2022 first quarter. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

2nd home-grown vaccine to hit market in 2022 first quarter

On April 11, Mr. Duong Huu Thai, Director of the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC), said that after being researched, the COVIVAC vaccine had been put to trial and would soon be produced once licensed by the Ministry of Health. COVIVAC is the joint product of IVAC and a number of universities and international organizations as well as domestic and foreign partners. Up to now, IVAC has completely mastered vaccine production technology.

The COVIVAC vaccine has similarities with the imported AstraZeneca vaccine. Both use vector technology. However, their cost of use is different. COVIVAC cultures chicken eggs with embryo technology that IVAC has used to produce seasonal flu vaccines for many years, while AstraZeneca is produced by cell culture technology.

"We are accelerating the progress of research and testing. According to the schedule, by the first quarter of 2022, Vietnam will have enough vaccines for use or event for export. With the advantages of modern technology, current IVAC's production ability reaches 6 million doses/year, but can soon be upgraded to 30 million doses/year, at only VND 60,000 (USD 2,6)/ dose. COVIVAC vaccine is easy to store and transport, helps to raise accessibility," said Mr. Thai.

Tightening border prevention to control Covid-19. (Photo: Thanh Nien)

Tightening border prevention to control Covid-19

The functional forces, especially the border guards in many localities throughout the country, are required to continue to strengthen patrols and control to prevent illegal entry bringing COVID-19 sources into Vietnam.

Facing the situation that COVID-19 is surging in Cambodian provinces bordering Vietnam, the Border Guard Command instructed provinces' forces of the provinces to continue tightening border works, prevent people from entering illegally into the inland. Talking to Thanh Nien's reporters on April 11, Mr. Doan Tan Buu, Vice Chairman of Dong Thap People's Committee, said that Dong Thap has 8 communes bordering Cambodia, which was always at risk of being hit by the pandemic from Cambodia. Thanks to the careful guard of the functional forces, the illegal entry has been minimized.

In recent days, the COVID-19 prevention and control have been drastically implemented by the leaders of An Giang province, which share a part of the borderline with Cambodia. From March 18 to April 7, An Giang received and quarantined 5,155 people.

Vietnam COVID-19 Updates (April 11): 9 imported cases in the last 24 hours Nine imported cases of COVID-19 were detected on the afternoon of April 10, raising the national count to 2,692, according to the Health Ministry.

Vietnam COVID-19 Updates (April 10): Vietnam to start mass vaccine production in August Vietnam could start mass production of its own Covid-19 vaccine in August if a three-phase human trial is completed in May.

Vietnam COVID-19 Updates (April 9): Second shots of Nano Covax in 2nd-stage trials completed As many as 554 volunteers joining the second-stage human trials of home-grown Nano Covax COVID-19 vaccine got the second shots over the past 14 days.