Seasonal flu vaccines and pandemic influenza A/H5N1 vaccines made in Vietnam are expected to be circulated in 2019, with prices only 1/3 to 1/2 of the import prices.
A seasonal flu vaccine product manufactured by IVAC. Photo: NGUYEN CHUNG.
On September 25, in Nha Trang City (Khanh Hoa), the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC), the World Health Organization (WHO), PATH – an international organization on global health, the Agency The Biomedical Advanced Development Research (BARDA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Welfare, announced the results of a project to improve influenza vaccine development capacity in Vietnam.
According to IVAC’s report, thanks to the support of WHO, PATH, BARDA and many domestic agencies and organizations, IVAC has successfully researched a seasonal flu vaccine (with 3 strains of A/H1N1, A/H3N2, influenza B) ) and pandemic influenza A/H5N1 vaccine.
IVAC produces vaccines on an industrial scale, with high quality and safety. Seasonal flu vaccine capacity is 1.5 million doses/year; Influenza A/H5N1 vaccine is 3 million doses/year.
According to IVAC, in Vietnam, every year about 1.2-1.5 million people get flu syndrome, of which 20-30% are caused by seasonal influenza viruses and avian influenza has appeared since 2003. Meanwhile, Vietnam has historically lacked a sustainable supply of flu vaccines and has been forced to rely on foreign manufacturers.
In 2007, Vietnam became a member of the WHO Global Plan of Action on Influenza Vaccines. Later, international organizations supported IVAC to develop and produce vaccines for seasonal and pandemic influenza, using embryonic chicken egg technology.
Checking embryonic chicken eggs for influenza vaccine production at IVACANH. Photo: NGUYEN CHUNG.
Since 2010, WHO, PATH, and BARDA have cooperated with Vietnam to develop long-term plans related to influenza vaccine production and use, clinical trial guidelines and influenza vaccine registration guidelines.
From 2012-2018, IVAC started clinical trials of seasonal influenza and influenza A/H5N1 vaccines with multiple phases. Overall results showed that the vaccines were well tolerated and capable of eliciting a protective immune response.
Currently, IVAC is carrying out licensing procedures for the above vaccines; expected to circulate in 2019, with the price only 1/3 to 1/2 of the import price.
This is considered a great achievement in improving Vietnam’s vaccine production capacity and pandemic preparedness.
IVAC’s efforts to self-produce flu vaccines not only benefit the people of Vietnam, but also help increase the supply of flu vaccines in the region and around the world.