Articles Vol. 66 No. Vol 67. English Version No 2 11/06/2026

DISTRIBUTION OF COVID-19 IN VIETNAM: THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM COVAX PROGRAM

Phung Van Dung1, Duong Minh Duc2
1 Bac Thang Long General Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
2 Hanoi University of Public Health, Vietnam
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v66ii8.5383
23 Views
0 Downloads
Abstract

Introduction: COVAX is a key part of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, significantly contributing to Vietnam's COVID-19 vaccination coverage during the pandemic peak in 2021-2022. This study analyzes COVAX's impact and offers recommendations for improvement.

Methods: Data were collected through online interviews and document reviews in August-September 2022, involving 15 key informants from major stakeholders in Vietnam's COVID-19 vaccination program.

Results: COVAX supplied vaccines to approximately 35% of Vietnam's population, but the country was excluded from discussions on program design and distribution strategies. This oversight led to ineffective planning for vaccine distribution.

Conclusion: Vietnam needs to proactively prepare and streamline the administrative processes for vaccine approval and distribution in future pandemics.

References
[1]
Vietnam Ministry of Health. COVID-19 Vaccination in Vietnam. Hanoi: Labor Publishing House; 2022. Google Scholar
[2]
Yoo KJ, Mehta A, Mak J, Bishai D, Chansa C, Patenaude B. COVAX and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Bull World Health Organ. 2022;100(5):315-28. Google Scholar
[3]
Vietnam Ministry of Health. Information website about the pandemic of COVID-19 2023 [cited 12/5/2026. Available from: https://ncov.moh.gov.vn/. Google Scholar
[4]
General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Completed Results of the 2019 Vietnam Population and Housing Census. Hanoi: Statistical Publishing House; 2020, 13/12/2019. Google Scholar
[5]
Wordometer. COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic: Reported Cases and Deaths by Country, Territory, or Conveyance 2022 [Available from: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries. Google Scholar
[6]
Van Nguyen Q, Cao DA, Nghiem SH. Spread of COVID-19 and policy responses in Vietnam: An overview. Int J Infect Dis. 2021;103:157-61. Google Scholar
[7]
Le TT, Vodden K, Wu J, Atiwesh G. Policy Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(2). Google Scholar