Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the event (Photo: VGP)

In his remarks, Prime MInister Pham Minh Chinh said the fund was established to mobilise social resources for the purchase of vaccines and for research, development and production of domestic vaccines.

Though Vietnam has been one of the most successful countries in the world at containing the COVID-19 pandemic as evidenced by low infection and death rates, the pandemic is still evolving with new strains first found in India and the UK behind the recent surge of domestic cases in Vietnam.

In order to return life to normal, the Party and State set the goal to administer free vaccines to all people to soon achieve herd immunity, considering it a fundamental, long-term, strategic and decisive solution to get rid of the pandemic, he said.

The Government leader said that the consensus of the people is key to combat the pandemic and return to a normal, peaceful, and safe life.

He urged for favourable conditions for all individuals and organisations to make contributions to the fund.

As of noon Saturday, the fund had received 1.2 million USD from SMS messages and more than 288 million USD from individuals, organizations, and businesses.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam needs 150 million doses of vaccines to administer about 75 percent of its population this year, with total cost amounting to 25 trillion. .