The Australian Government promptly donated 490,600 doses of DTP-HepB-HiB vaccine (5-in-1 vaccine) to Vietnam. This batch of vaccines has arrived in Hanoi. Minister Dao Hong Lan requested relevant units to act decisively and quickly to bring vaccines to localities as soon as possible and vaccinate children.
On the afternoon of December 17, according to Health & Life , a representative of the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology said that 490,600 doses of 5-in-1 vaccine were funded by the Australian Government through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). arrived in Vietnam on the night of December 15 and was transported to the storage warehouse of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology yesterday morning.
The 5-in-1 vaccine helps protect against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and Hib type b (Hib) bacteria.
Previously, speaking at the vaccine handover ceremony event organized by the Ministry of Health, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan emphasized: The Australian Government’s timely support for the Expanded Immunization Program of 490,600 doses of vaccine 5 in 1 is extremely valuable and necessary to deploy vaccination for children in the near future.
On behalf of the Ministry of Health, Minister Dao Hong Lan expressed her gratitude for the support of international organizations, especially the Australian Government for promptly supporting the vaccine as proposed by the Ministry of Health of Vietnam. Besides, there is the coordination and companionship of UNICEF to be able to supply vaccines to Vietnam as soon as possible.
“Finding a vaccine supply source is very difficult, so we request the Directors of the Department of Health to direct the allocation and organization of vaccination for the right subjects, effectively” – Minister Dao Hong Lan said.
Minister Dao Hong Lan affirmed that when the vaccine is handed over, the Ministry of Health and related units will act decisively and quickly to bring the vaccine to localities as soon as possible, in order to vaccinate children effectively.
Regarding the allocation of this vaccine, at the press meeting providing medical information in December organized by the Ministry of Health this weekend , Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong – Deputy Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology clearly stated that, based on the proposed needs and implementation practices of 63 provinces/cities, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology has developed a vaccine allocation plan according to needs and guided localities to deploy in order. prioritize.
Firstly , vaccine priority is allocated to vaccinate children who have not yet received the first dose of the 5-in-1 vaccine. Priority is given first to children with the youngest age group from 2 months old first, then to children with older months including including children over 12 months old.
Second , re-vaccinate the 2nd and 3rd doses for children who have not been vaccinated with 3 doses of the 5-in-1 vaccine, including children over 12 months old.
“With the number of vaccines supported by the Australian government, localities will deploy them in the above priority order and the Expanded Program on Immunization will provide vaccines appropriate to the number of young people in the provinces/cities. Vaccine. will be supplied to 63 provinces/cities. Priority will be given to increasing the rate of vaccine supply to mountainous and disadvantaged localities to ensure equity in vaccine access for children” – Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Thi Hong said. .
In the information sent to the press this afternoon – December 17 by UNICEF and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, Mr. Andrew Goledzinowski – Australian Ambassador to Vietnam said: Australia is very proud to cooperate with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF to help provide immediate solutions to solve current difficulties in vaccine supply in Vietnam.
This support builds on Australia’s partnership with Vietnam in successfully responding to the COVID-19 pandemic over the years.
” Responding to crises and challenges often requires strong leadership and we appreciate Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan for her determination to address vaccine shortages and ensure adequate vaccine supply in the future. We fully believe that the Ministry of Health has a strong plan to restore Vietnam’s vaccination program in the near future “- said Mr. Andrew Goledzinowski.
Chief Representative of UNICEF Vietnam, Ms. Rana Flowers said: UNICEF’s cooperation with the Government of Vietnam and the Government of Australia is providing the opportunity to save the lives of many children who have missed vaccinations or have never been vaccinated. UNICEF will continue to support the Ministry of Health to ensure that every child in every part of the country is regularly immunized (now and in the future), and to restore and further improve immunization services. strains returned to pre-pandemic levels .