The Ministry of Health has decided to resume the use of Quinvaxem, a combined vaccine against five diseases among children, starting October after five months of suspension to clear up some cases of severe post-vaccination reactions. The move followed many tests from domestic and foreign labs proved the safety of the vaccine that allegedly caused nine deaths across Vietnam from Nov 2012 to April 2013. Among those victims, four deaths were confirmed to not be caused by the made-in-South Korea vaccine, Nguyen Van Binh, head of the Preventive Health Department said, adding that the children were in good health conditions before getting vaccinations. The World Health Organization had affirmed that the Quinvaxem vaccine, meets quality and safety requirements, recommending it for the national vaccination programs. Quinvaxem vaccine has been used in the expanded immunization program in Vietnam since June 2010. Vietnam reported 22 death cases after vaccinations in the first seven months of this year. (http://vtc.vn [1] Sept 25, Lao Dong – Labor Sept 25 p3, Tien Phong – Pioneer Sept 25 p6)
