REFILE-Vietnam health ministry to buy Russian COVID-19 vaccine -state media

(Refiles to correct day in first paragraph to Friday)

HANOI, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Vietnam's health ministry has registered to buy a Russian COVID-19 vaccine, state television reported on Friday, as the Southeast Asian country fights a new outbreak of the coronavirus following months of no local cases.

"In the meantime, Vietnam will still continue developing the country's own COVID-19 vaccine," state broadcaster Vietnam Television (VTV) said.

Vietnam has reported a total of 911 infections, with 21 deaths.

Russia said on Wednesday the first batch of the world's first COVID-19 vaccine would be rolled out within two weeks, rejecting as "groundless" the safety concerns aired by some experts over Moscow's rapid approval of the drug.

(Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Tom Hogue)