The national human vaccine program got off the ground with the signing of contracts between the program office and four vaccine makers at a ceremony in Hanoi on January 28. Speaking at the event, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said the signing marks the beginning of a new age in Vietnam where human vaccines become a national trademark. The national program, implemented under Decision 2441/QD-TTg issued by the Prime Minister on December 31, 2012, aims to ensure the availability of domestic supply for the country’s extended vaccination program to deal with common diseases. Accordingly, by 2020, Vietnam targets to produce on commercial scale seven vital vaccines using advanced technology, namely combination vaccine and those for hepatitis A, rabies, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, rotavirus and influenza. Its goal also includes improving the performance of relevant domestic establishments in terms of research and quality monitoring as well as exporting the products to other countries. (Vov Jan 29)
