Vietnam COVID-19 Updates (March 11): Vietnam has no new cases to report
	Vietnam COVID-19 Updates (March 10): No new cases, Hanoi to roll out mass testing
	Vietnam COVID-19 Updates (March 9): No new cases in morning, HCMC reopens most services

Photo: Tien Phong

1 imported cases in the last 24 hours

Another imported COVID-19 case was reported on March 14 evening, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 2,554, the Ministry of Health said. The new patient is a Japanese expert who has been quarantined since his arrival at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport on March 10. His sample showed a positive result and he is now treated at Cu Chi COVID-19 treatment hospital.

The Ministry of Health did not record positive nCoV cases this morning. The total number of community cases over the past month and a half maintained at 901.

Photo: Vietnam Plus

Severe reaction found in 2 vaccine recipients

According to the National Expanded Immunization Program (NEIP), as of 16:00 on March 14, a total of 11,605 people were vaccinated against COVID-19, including health workers performing tasks relating to COVID-19 patients. Currently, the largest vaccination campaign in Vietnam's history is carrying on since the morning of March 8 in Hanoi, Hai Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City, with priority given to the first-line medical staff, who have often contact with COVID-19 patients.

According to a quick report from the vaccination sites, on March 14, NEIP recorded two cases of severe reactions, of which one case showed signs of dizziness, restlessness, irritability within 30 minutes after injection. The second case was diagnosed with level III anaphylaxis with initial signs of malaria, tremors accompanied by cramps, hand numbness appeared eight hours after injection. Both these cases were timely detected and treated promptly according to regulations. Their health situation is now back to a stable state.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while the supply of vaccines is still limited, priority should be given to health workers who are at high risk of exposure to the disease and those at high age, including people over 65. In addition, the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people with underlying medical conditions because they are at greater risk for the disease.

Photo: Tien Phong

Vietnam starts trial of the second homegrown COVID-19 vaccine

On the morning of March 15, Covivac, a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC), was tested phrase 1 in human clinical at Hanoi Medical University. Covivac is the 2nd "Made in Vietnam" COVID-19 vaccine that has been licensed for clinical trials by the Ministry of Health (after Nanogen's Nano Covax, which is being tested in phase 2).

The study involves 120 volunteers, aged 18-59, given 2 injections/0.5ml 28 days apart. The first group of 6 people will participate in the vaccine trial this morning (March 15), including groups from 18-39 years old and 40-59 years old, the ratio of men and women is equal.

The research team has now recruited 120 people to participate in the Covivac clinical trial for the first phase. It is expected that when the first group is completed, the team will give the second group an injection 9 days later (scheduled for March 24). The vaccination trial was carried out at the Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Hanoi Medical University, and the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

Covivac is produced using egg with embryo technology, which is also used to produce Vietnam's seasonal flu vaccines. Covivac has been studied by IVAC since May 2020, has gone through pre-clinical research in India, the USA, and Vietnam.

Vietnam COVID-19 Updates (March 15): Vietnam tourism consider Covid-19 vaccine passports The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is working with relevant agencies on a proposal to welcome vaccinated foreign tourists back to the country.

Vietnam COVID-19 Updates (March 13): Indian expert: Vietnam has "remarkable ability to contain the spread of contagious diseases" Van Don International Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh welcomed its first international flight on March 12 after being closed for more than ...

Vietnam COVID-19 Updates (March 12): Vietnam records two more domestic Covid-19 patients The Health Ministry confirmed two new Covid-19 patients in Hai Duong Friday morning, raising the northern province's community transmission tally to 713 since late January.