Công văn 10529/BYT-DP

Implementing the Government’s vaccination strategy from March, 2021 up to now, the Ministry of Health received and administered more than 131 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines with different production technologies (Astrazeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, etc.). More than 75 million people have received the first dose and more than 56 million people have received the second dose. In the near future, Vietnam will continue to receive Moderna vaccine supplied by COVAX Facility to continue the vaccination.

On September 8, 2021, Vaccine Advisory Council of The Ministry of Health held a meeting and made a recommendation: in case of force majeure when a COVID-19 vaccine that was administered as the first dose is discontinued or not supplied in time for the second dose, the second dose can be another vaccine. To be specific: if the first dose is Astrazeneca vaccine, the second dose can be Pfizer vaccine or Moderna vaccine; if the first dose is Moderna vaccine, the second dose can be Pfizer vaccine and vice versa.

On the basis of the aforementioned Council’s opinion, for the purpose of reasonable and effective use of vaccine produced by Moderna, pursuant to the Official Dispatch No. 6030/BYT-DP dated July 27, 2021 and No. 7548/BYT-DP dated September 10, 2021, the Ministry of Health provides guidance as follows:

1. People who have got the first dose of any vaccine should get the second dose of the same vaccine.

2. In case of limited vaccine supply, it is possible to combine the first dose of Pfizer vaccine or Astrazeneca vaccine with the second dose of Moderna vaccine. The interval between the first dose and the second dose of Pfizer vaccine shall comply with the guideline of the producer and the interval between the first dose and second dose of Astrazeneca vaccine shall comply with the Official Dispatch No. 7820/BYT-DP dated September 20, 2021 of the Ministry of Health.

3. The Extended Immunization Project of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology shall provide support and guidance on the process of vaccination and monitor adverse events following immunization (AEFI) after carrying out COVID-19 vaccine combination.

4. Departments of Health shall request vaccination facilities in their provinces to prepare plans and lists of people to be vaccinated according to the available vaccine supply and vaccination eligibility; ensure safety, punctuation and vaccine coverage; provide adequate information for eligible people before vaccination to earn their trust.

5. The Department of Health of the Ministry of Public Security and the Department of Military Medicine and General Department of Logistics of the Ministry of National shall prepare plans and lists of eligible people to be vaccinated in accordance with the available vaccine supply and vaccination eligibility to ensure safety and punctuation.

The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor, update information and provide guidance on administration of vaccination if necessary.

Sincerely. /.