(VOVWORLD) -The first shipment of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is likely to arrive in Vietnam this month, according to a representative from the US drug maker. 

Pfizer is finalizing plans on the transport and supply of COVID-19 vaccine for Vietnam in the third and fourth quarters of 2021, John Paul Pullicino from Pfizer Vietnam has said, adding that part of the shipment will arrive in Vietnam in July.

Pfizer has struck a deal to provide 31 million doses of vaccine for Vietnam. Pfizer vaccine was granted conditional approval for emergency use in the country by the Health Ministry’s Drug Administration on June 12.

Mr. Pullicino noted that Pfizer vaccine is not commercially available in Vietnam yet so any transactions related to it could potentially be counterfeit or unauthorised products.

He said that Pfizer vaccine is only supplied via bilateral deals with Governments, and up to now, there has been no legitimate private source of the vaccine.

Vietnam plans to secure around 150 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine this year to inoculate at least 70% of its population, in order to achieve herd immunity.

Source: VOV5