16 October 2021. Deputy Prime Minister in Vietnam has approved a national science-technology programme for promoting studies and production of human vaccines by 2030. Under the programme, the production of all domestic vaccines will meet international standards and sufficiently supply the National Expanded Programme on Immunisation. https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-approves-national-programme-for-development-of-domestic-vaccines/209800.vnp

15 October 2021. Taiwan is about to publish preliminary findings for a number of clinical trials to determine the efficacy of mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines, with the pairing of AstraZeneca (AZ) and Moderna showing promising results.https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4315600

15 October 2021. The Government of Laos has extended Covid-19 restriction measures for another 15 days until 30 October. Vaccinations and testing, and quarantine are to continue, with borders and checkpoints remaining closed.https://laotiantimes.com/2021/10/15/laos-covid-taskforce-extends-restrictions-for-another-15-days/

15 October 2021. Vietnam Ministry of Public Health has issued guidance implementing the government’s freshly adopted Resolution on provisional guidelines on safe adaptation to the Covid-19 pandemic.https://www.sggpnews.org.vn/health/guidelines-on-safe-adaptation-to-covid19-pandemic-95289.html

15 October 2021. Kingdom’s national coordinating bodies will formulate a reopening policy for the entire nation that will see restrictions lifted, though some measures to contain the pandemic will remain in place for the foreseeable future.https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/pandemic-endemic-learning-live-covid-19-long-term

15 October 2021. The Lao Ministry of Health said that the country has recorded 573 new cases of COVID-19, including 571 found in the community. The COVID-19 pandemic in the country is still complicated as the number of cases has been on the rise in some provinces and cities, putting great pressure on the national health system.https://en.vietnamplus.vn/laos-sees-increase-in-new-covid19-cases/209831.vnp

14 October 2021. The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has urged the government to increase vaccination rate against Covid-19 especially in second and third jabs before the planned reopening on November 1 using the help of private sector.https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40007491

14 October 2021. The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is working hard to roll out the vaccine strategy, especially vaccine diplomacy. However, Vietnam and many other countries that have yet to produce vaccines are facing difficulties in vaccine access.https://en.vietnamplus.vn/covid19-vietnam-working-hard-in-vaccination/209708.vnp

14 October 2021. Cambodia is now one of the leading countries in the world for Covid-19 vaccination. It is predicted that Cambodia will reach the top 5/7 in all three categories on October 31 due to the second dose processes for children and booster shots for adults.https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50951818/cambodia-listed-as-one-of-the-leading-countries-in-the-world-for-covid-19-vaccinations/

14 October 2021. The Thailand government may consider easing more restrictions on businesses and activities, including reducing the number of dark-red zone provinces and shortening the nighttime curfew to prepare for the country’s reopening next month.