"The Historical Moment in Diplomatic Relations between Vietnam and the Vatican, and the Challenge of Domestic Vaccine Supply"

"The Historical Moment in Diplomatic Relations between Vietnam and the Vatican, and the Challenge of Domestic Vaccine Supply"

The establishment of a permanent representative of the Vatican in Vietnam marks a historic moment in the diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to Vice Minister of Interior Vu Chien Thang. This development signifies the strengthening of ties between Vietnam and the Vatican in the field of international diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is facing challenges in its domestic vaccine supply. Examining the obstacles faced in procuring vaccines this year, it is evident that the price of older vaccines has become outdated and the application process is lengthy. The introduction of new pricing structures has led to significant price discrepancies compared to the older prices. Furthermore, the lengthy assessment process has delayed the availability of vaccines.

Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments in 2023. POLYVAC, a Vietnamese vaccine manufacturer, successfully exported one million measles vaccines to India. There are also plans to export these vaccines to Bangladesh and Iran, as the quality assessment teams from the importing countries have completed the necessary procedures to purchase vaccines from Vietnam.

Moreover, Vietnam is included in the list of countries receiving the transfer of mNRA vaccine production technology from the World Health Organization. This new technology, similar to the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine, opens up opportunities for Vietnam to conduct research and produce new generation vaccines to meet domestic demands and for export purposes.

The question, however, is not whether vaccine manufacturers can seize these opportunities, but rather when the policy barriers and investment constraints can be resolved. It is crucial to address the policy challenges and financial barriers that hinder the timely procurement of vaccines.

In conclusion, the establishment of a permanent representative of the Vatican in Vietnam showcases the significant milestone achieved in diplomatic relations between the two countries. Despite the challenges faced in the domestic vaccine supply, there have been positive developments such as the successful export of vaccines by POLYVAC and the inclusion of Vietnam in the transfer of vaccine production technology. To overcome the challenges and ensure a steady vaccine supply, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Streamline the assessment process: Implement measures to expedite the evaluation and approval of vaccines to reduce delays in their availability.

2. Enhance investment in vaccine production: Allocate resources and investments to strengthen the domestic vaccine manufacturing industry, enabling Vietnam to meet its vaccine demands and potentially become a vaccine exporter.

3. Foster international collaborations: Strengthen partnerships with international organizations and countries to access technology transfer, research collaborations, and financial support for vaccine production and procurement.

By implementing these strategies, Vietnam can overcome the challenges in the domestic vaccine supply and contribute to the global effort in combating infectious diseases.