Vietnam successfully produced seasonal flu vaccine and influenza A / H5N1

The vaccine for seasonal flu and pandemic influenza A / H5N1 vaccine produced by Vietnam is expected to circulate in 2019, with the price being only 1/3 to 1/2 of the import price.

A seasonal flu vaccine produced by IVAC.Photo: NGUYEN CHUNG.

On September 25, in Nha Trang City (Khanh Hoa), Institute of Vaccine and Medical Biology (IVAC), World Health Organization (WHO), PATH - an international organization for global health, Agency The Advanced Biomedical Development Research (BARDA) of the US Department of Health and Welfare has 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 studied seasonal flu vaccine (with 3 strains of A / H1N1, A / H3N2, influenza B ) and A / H5N1 pandemic flu vaccine.

IVAC produces vaccines on industrial scale, with high quality and safety. The capacity of seasonal flu vaccine is 1.5 million doses / year; A / H5N1 influenza vaccine is 3 million doses / year.

According to IVAC, in Vietnam, every year, about 1.2-1.5 million people suffer from influenza syndrome, of which 20-30% are caused by seasonal influenza virus and bird flu has appeared since 2003 Meanwhile, Vietnam has so far lacked the supply of sustainable influenza vaccines and is forced to rely on foreign manufacturers.
In 2007, Vietnam became a member of the WHO Global Action Plan on influenza vaccines. Later, international organizations supported IVAC to develop the production of seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines, using the technology of embryonic chicken eggs.

Check eggs with embryos for production of flu vaccines at IVACNH.Photo: NGUYEN CHUNG.

Since 2010, WHO, PATH, BARDA have cooperated with Vietnam to develop long-term plans related to the production and use of influenza vaccines, guide clinical trials and guide the registration of influenza vaccines.
From 2012-2018, IVAC started clinical trials of seasonal flu vaccines and influenza A / H5N1 vaccines in several stages. The overall results show that vaccines are well tolerated and are capable of providing a protective immune response.

Currently, IVAC is carrying out the registration procedures for the above vaccines; It is expected to circulate in 2019, with a cost of only 1/3 to 1/2 of the import price.

This is considered a great achievement in improving the capacity of vaccine production and preparedness for pandemic response in Vietnam.

IVAC's efforts in producing flu vaccines not only bring benefits to the people of Vietnam, but also help increase the supply of flu vaccines in the region and around the world.