A patient infected with influenza A/H5N1 receive treatment (Photo: VNA) Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The Institute ofVaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) has completed the clinical trials oftwo types of seasonal influenza vaccine, which are expected to receive approvalfor commercial use in 2019, said Dr Le Van Be, head of the institute.
The vaccine targets three strains of influenza:A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/H3N2, along with A/H5N1 (avian influenza or bird flu).
The results were recorded after nine years ofinternational cooperation with Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (MoH) and the IVAC toimprove the country’s vaccine production and pandemic influenza response.
Since 2010, PATH (known as Programme forAppropriate Technology in Health) – an international, non-profit global healthorganisation – has worked with the MoH to devise a long-term plan on influenzavaccine production and consumption, as well as guidance on clinical trials andvaccine registration.
Over the 2017-2018 period, the second phases ofthe vaccine trials for seasonal influenza and A/H5N1 were completed, paving theway for the vaccines to be licensed for commercial use.
Notably, the price of the vaccines will be onlyone third of imported ones, standing at 80,000-120,000 VND (3.5-5 USD) perdose.
According to IVAC, at a seminar on seasonalinfluenza vaccine production in Vietnam which took place in late August, DeputyHealth Minister Nguyen Thanh Long announced that locally produced seasonalinfluenza vaccines had received their first order from the World HealthOrganisation (WHO), making Vietnam among the 14 countries supplying thepreventative treatment.
Influenza is a leading cause of low morbidityand mortality worldwide. Seasonal influenza causes some 250,000-500,000fatalities and up to five million cases of severe illness across the globeevery year.
If a highly virulent pandemic strain emerged,influenza could cause millions of fatalities around the world.
Vietnam reports more than a million cases ofinfluenza-like illnesses every year and has reported isolated cases of avianinfluenza A/H5N1 in humans, a strain with a particularly high fatality rate.
The strain is being monitored for any evolutionor adaptation that could turn it into an easily-spread form, bolstering againstthe likelihood of a pandemic.
The IVAC, established in 1978 by the MoH, plansand carries out the production of vaccines and serums for the ExpandedProgramme on Immunisation in Vietnam and the overall prevention and treatmentof diseases. It also conducts research and applies technological advances invaccine development and production in cooperation with organisations both insideand outside the country. –VNA
The vaccine targets three strains of influenza:A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/H3N2, along with A/H5N1 (avian influenza or bird flu).
The results were recorded after nine years ofinternational cooperation with Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (MoH) and the IVAC toimprove the country’s vaccine production and pandemic influenza response.
Since 2010, PATH (known as Programme forAppropriate Technology in Health) – an international, non-profit global healthorganisation – has worked with the MoH to devise a long-term plan on influenzavaccine production and consumption, as well as guidance on clinical trials andvaccine registration.
Over the 2017-2018 period, the second phases ofthe vaccine trials for seasonal influenza and A/H5N1 were completed, paving theway for the vaccines to be licensed for commercial use.
Notably, the price of the vaccines will be onlyone third of imported ones, standing at 80,000-120,000 VND (3.5-5 USD) perdose.
According to IVAC, at a seminar on seasonalinfluenza vaccine production in Vietnam which took place in late August, DeputyHealth Minister Nguyen Thanh Long announced that locally produced seasonalinfluenza vaccines had received their first order from the World HealthOrganisation (WHO), making Vietnam among the 14 countries supplying thepreventative treatment.
Influenza is a leading cause of low morbidityand mortality worldwide. Seasonal influenza causes some 250,000-500,000fatalities and up to five million cases of severe illness across the globeevery year.
If a highly virulent pandemic strain emerged,influenza could cause millions of fatalities around the world.
Vietnam reports more than a million cases ofinfluenza-like illnesses every year and has reported isolated cases of avianinfluenza A/H5N1 in humans, a strain with a particularly high fatality rate.
The strain is being monitored for any evolutionor adaptation that could turn it into an easily-spread form, bolstering againstthe likelihood of a pandemic.
The IVAC, established in 1978 by the MoH, plansand carries out the production of vaccines and serums for the ExpandedProgramme on Immunisation in Vietnam and the overall prevention and treatmentof diseases. It also conducts research and applies technological advances invaccine development and production in cooperation with organisations both insideand outside the country. –VNA
VNA
