The World Health Organization (WHO) has sent experts to Vietnam to investigate the alleged serious side-effects of Quinvaxem, a combined vaccine for children, after suspected deaths in recent months. In an urgent dispatch dated May 4, the Health Ministry requested health centers nationwide to halt the use of Quinvaxem to wait for an investigation result from the WHO. Batches of Quinvaxem have also been sent to the UK for further testing. The suspension will not affect other vaccines under the expanded national immunization program. The vaccine, made by South Korea-based Berna Biotech Korea Corporation, is administered to children aged less than one year as a preventive shot against the five diseases of diphtheria, tetanus, B. pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, and haemophilus influenza type B (Hib). Since June 2010, Vietnam has imported 16.2 million doses of Quinvaxem, 15.2 million doses of which have already been distributed. Since Nov 2012, nine children have died after receiving Quinvaxem vaccinations. Many local people are not keen on participating in the national immunization program as the country still records some deaths from anaphylactic shock after vaccination. Vietnam has reported more than 27 related deaths over the past four years. (vov.vn May 9)
