Which vaccines will be provided free to children in Vietnam until 2030?

1. Which vaccines will be provided free to children in Vietnam until 2030?

Recently, the Resolution 104/NQ-CP dated August 15, 2022, by the Government of Vietnam was issued regarding the roadmap to increase the number of vaccines in the extended immunization program for the period 2021-2030. The added vaccines include:

Currently, the Expanded Immunization Program provides free vaccines against 10 dangerous infectious diseases. The addition of 4 new vaccines will help increase the vaccination rate, protecting the health of the people, especially children and women.

Specifically, the 4 vaccines to be added to the Expanded Immunization Program include:

- Vaccine against Rota virus: Protects children from rotavirus diarrhea, the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children. Administer 2-3 doses for children from 6 weeks old. The rota vaccine is being piloted in several provinces and is expected to be nationwide by the end of 2024.

- Vaccine against pneumococcal diseases (PCV): Prevents dangerous diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia caused by pneumococcal bacteria. The vaccination schedule depends on the type of vaccine and age. The pneumococcal vaccine is expected to begin piloting in five provinces/cities in 2025 and expand across provinces and cities by 2030.

- Vaccine against cervical cancer (HPV): Helps protect women from HPV, the main cause of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is expected to begin expanding immunization in 2026, free for girls aged 11.

- Vaccine against seasonal influenza (Influenza): Reduces the risk of flu, flu complications, and protects the health of individuals and the community. Administer 2 doses 1 month apart for children from 6 months old, with annual booster shots. The seasonal flu vaccine is expected to roll out in 2030 across 20 provinces/cities.

In addition, according to the Ministry of Health's guideline, for the HPV vaccine, the Ministry of Health has expanded the administration of the Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine for individuals aged 27-45, effective from May 10. Instead of the previous limit of 9-26 years old, the Ministry of Health allows individuals from 27 to 45 years old to receive the HPV vaccine without requiring medical consultation.

The Ministry of Health clarified that Gardasil 9 is a vaccine indicated for girls and women aged 9 to 45 to prevent cervical cancer, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancer; precancerous or dysplastic lesions; genital warts caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This vaccine is also indicated for boys and men aged 9 to 45 to prevent anal cancer, anal precancerous or dysplastic lesions; external genital lesions (including genital warts) caused by HPV.

Thus, the extended immunization program for the period 2021-2030 will include the addition of the following vaccines: Rota virus vaccine (diarrhea caused by Rota virus) initially, in 2025 the pneumococcal vaccine, followed by the HPV vaccine in 2026, and the seasonal flu vaccine in 2030. These will be provided free to children as guided. Among these vaccines, Rota is planned to be introduced the earliest.

2. What are regulations on the implementation of vaccination for children in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 11 of Circular 34/2018/TT-BYT, the implementation of vaccination for children is regulated as follows:

- The dosage and route of administration of each type of vaccine must comply with the instructions provided on the label or in the vaccine package insert.

- Lyophilized vaccine must be reconstituted according to the regulations in Annex 2 issued with Circular 34/2018/TT-BYT.

- Vaccines are to be used according to the principle: short expiry must be used first; first come, first served; or the vaccine vial monitor indicating it needs to be used first according to the manufacturer’s instructions or remaining vaccine from the previous vaccination session properly stored and used first.

- Liquid vaccines must be used within the same vaccination session if stored between +2°C to +8°C after opening.

- The solvent for one vaccine is only for use with that vaccine. Reconstituted lyophilized vaccines must be used within 6 hours or as directed by the manufacturer.

- Vaccination must involve checking the vaccine, solvent, syringe, and needle before use. The responsible parties must show the vaccine vial to the vaccine recipient or their guardians before vaccination. The process must ensure the proper recipient is vaccinated with the correct vaccine, dosage, route, and timing. Syringes, needles, and sharps must be disposed of immediately in a safety box post-use, without recapping the needle.

- At the end of the vaccination session, store the remaining unopened vaccine vials and solvents per Article 4 of Circular 34/2018/TT-BYT; unused syringes and needles must be stored according to the regulations for future use. Multi-dose vaccine vials that have been opened but not used up and totally used vials should be handled per the provisions of Joint Circular 58/2015/TTLT-BYT-BTNMT. For delayed immunization cases in the extended program, rescheduling for the same month is required.

3. What are regulations on guidelines on post-vaccination monitoring in Vietnam?

According to Article 12 of Circular 34/2018/TT-BYT, vaccination sites must monitor the vaccine recipient for at least 30 minutes post-vaccination at the vaccination site. Families or vaccine recipients continue monitoring at home as follows:

- Continue monitoring at home for at least 24 hours post-vaccination for signs like general condition, mental state, eating, sleeping, breathing, rash, injection site symptoms, notifying healthcare workers if any abnormalities are detected;

- Immediately take the vaccinee to a hospital or healthcare facility if post-vaccination they experience any signs such as high fever (≥39°C), convulsions, incessant crying, prolonged irritability, lethargy, poor sucking, refusal to feed, difficulty breathing, cyanosis, rash, and other abnormal symptoms, or if general reactions last over 24 hours post-vaccine.

Note: Vaccination records must meet the following requirements:

- Complete the information on the vaccination card or registry of the vaccinee and on the National Immunization Information Management System and schedule the next vaccination;

- Record the vaccination date and the specific vaccines given to the vaccinee and post-vaccination reactions on the National Immunization Information Management System.

Respectfully!

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