Vietnam will change the method of placing orders on imported vaccines in order to ensure sufficient vaccine supply to meet the local immunization demand, said Nguyen Tran Hien, director of the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. Local preventative health centers should place orders for imports of vaccines though a common channels so as to have a better plan on stocking vaccines, Dr. Hien told the Vietnam News Agency on Aug 25. Dr. Hien said that Vietnam should project the demand for the vaccines. Projections would be based on forecasts and the capacity of manufacturers to supply the goods. Dissemination for residents about the necessary of vaccine was also needed. Vietnam currently has two immunization programs, namely the national immunization program and the immunization services. The Ministry of Health supplies 11 vaccines free of charge, including vaccines against tuberculosis, diphtheria, polio and whooping cough, to the national immunization program, which is funded by the state and the ministry’s budget. The vaccines being used for the immunization services, meanwhile, are imported based on the market demand. There was a fall in demand for vaccines earlier due to low public awareness in some parts of the country and also because of some reports about adverse reactions being experienced following vaccinations. This prompted some firms to reduce the orders of vaccine imports this year, but the rising demand for immunization following about 150 deaths of measles patients in the first quarter has led to a serious shortage of vaccines. Dr. Hien said about 30,000 doses of five-in-one vaccine and 200,000 doses of six-in-one vaccine will be imported in Vietnam in September. The five-in-one vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and haemophilus influenza type B while the six-in-one vaccine protects against hepatitis B as well. The import is expected to help ease the vaccine shortage, said Dr. Hien. (Tin Tuc – News Aug 25 p4)
