The use of the five-in-one Quinvaxem vaccine for children will be resumed in all localities nationwide in November as it has proven to be safe.
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The use of the five-in-one Quinvaxem vaccine for children will be resumed in all localities nationwide in November as it has proven to be safe.
According to the Preventive Healthcare Department under the Ministry of Health, the ministry has kept a close eye on the implementation of the vaccination process - from pre-checking, supervision to post-vaccination - to ensure its safety.
The ministry has also sent working groups to localities to assist them in the work and give timely support in settling problems.
As of October 30, more than 200,000 children in 15 provinces and cities nationwide had been vaccinated. No abnormal reaction had been seen in the children, the department said.
Earlier on July 30, the Prime Minister allowed the Health Ministry to continue using Quinvaxem in its expanded vaccination programme.
The use of the vaccine had been suspended for five months for investigation following nine deaths. However, findings have so far failed to show that the deaths were connected to the quality of the vaccine.
Quinvaxem prevents five common, child killer diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and pneumonia, and meningitis.
According to the World Health Organisation, over 400 million doses of Quinvaxem have been administered in 90 countries since 2006.
Vietnam received 15.8 million doses, of which 15.2 million were delivered to localities from June 1, 2010, following the Government’s approval to use it in the expanded vaccination programme to protect infants under 12 months old against deadly childhood diseases.
(Source:VNA)
