The World Health Organisation (WHO) has formally certified Vietnam’sfully-equipped national regulatory system that ensures the safety andefficacy of vaccines produced and used in the country.

Addressing a granting ceremony in Hanoi on June 22, Deputy PrimeMinister Vu Duc Dam said Vietnam is honoured to receive thecertification, which is a result of constant efforts by local healthworkers and scientists over the past 14 years.

Ensuring sufficient provision of vaccines for the national expandedprogramme on immunisation and joining relevant global activities areimportant to Vietnam and its population of over 90 million.

He described the reception of the WHO certification as a significantinitial step for the health sector, though more efforts are needed toimplement scientific research on healthcare and vaccinations, buildpolicies to draw investment capital and promote large-scale vaccineproduction in domestic and global markets.

The heathsector needs to carefully examine vaccine production and distribution,particularly in underprivileged regions, he noted.

The official took the occasion to thank the WHO, internationalorganisations and business communities for their assistance inpharmaceutical and vaccine production, saying he hopes Vietnamesevaccines will be exported to other countries.

ShinYoung-soo, Regional Director of the WHO’s Western Pacific Region,commended Vietnam ’s national regulatory system and the resultingsafe and effective vaccines.

The certification is agreat achievement for regulators and the Vietnamese people asconfirmation that the quality of vaccines in Vietnam meetsinternational standards of production, safety and effectiveness, hesaid.

Vietnam locally produces 10 out of the12 vaccines used in the national vaccination programme, which providesvaccinations for 1.7 million newborns annually.

TheSoutheast Asian country has become the 39th member of the WHO to have anational vaccine management system recognised as meeting internationalstandards.-VNA