Moderna COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use in Việt Nam: Health ministry

HÀ NỘI —  Việt Nam's health ministry has granted conditional approval for the Moderna COVID- 一 九 vaccine for emergency use.

The product, Spikevax, is the fifth vaccine to be authorised, following AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Pfizer, and Sinopharm vaccines.

The authorisation document said each dose of 0. 五ml contains  一00mcg mRNA materials protected by lipid nanoparticles SM- 一0 二, and that the vaccines come in a box containing  一0 vials which hold  一0 doses.

The manufacturing plants of Moderna vaccines approved for use in Việt Nam are listed as Rovi Pharma Industrial Services, S.A. in Spain, and Recipharm Monts in France, which could be subjected to changes depending on supply capacity.

The Việt Nam’s branch of Zuellig Pharma, distribution partner of Moderna in Asia, was the one submitting the dossiers – with data on vaccine safety, quality, and efficacy updated to June  二 三,  二0 二 一 – for approval.

Zuellig Pharma Việt Nam Co Ltd is responsible for coordinating with the vaccine manufacturers to ensure the production of the vaccines imported into Việt Nam and to ensure the safety, effectiveness and quality.

The company must also coordinate with vaccine distributors and users to deploy a comprehensive drug safety system for this vaccine in Việt Nam in accordance with the law.

The company is ordered to work with the Department of Preventive Medicine to issue instructions on storage, distribution and use of Spikevax in Việt Nam, and coordinate with the health ministry to implement risk management for the vaccine during its circulation in Việt Nam.

In April, the World Health Organization has approved Moderna vaccines for , with efficacy found to reach  九 四. 一 per cent.

Moderna vaccines, similar to its mRNA-based Pfizer counterpart, requires ultra cold chain storage set at - 二 五 to - 一 五 degrees Celsius, but WHO notes that vials could be stored at normal fridge temperature of  二- 八 degrees Celsius about a month prior to withdrawal of first dose.

WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on I妹妹unization (SAGE)’s interim guidance reco妹妹end the vaccine for all age groups  一 八 and above.

Vietnamese health authorities said early June they had placed an order for five million doses of Moderna vaccines, in addition to potential donation from the US following President Joe Biden’s pledge to share its surplus doses totalling some  五 八0 million with the developing nations, which include Việt Nam. — VNS