Vietnam Continues to Fall Short of Six-in-One Vaccines: Official

Vietnam is still in need of six-in-one (hexa) vaccines, according to Head of the Preventive Health Department Tran Dac Phu. Vaccinations centers nationwide have run out of the paid vaccines above since the beginning of 2014 but the authorities could not find any supplier to fill the demand. Mr. Phu attributed the problem to the reallocating of manufacturing plant of the current hexa vaccine supplier and the pentaxim vaccine supplier has not been able to deliver the required amount. Pentaxim vaccine is used for infants from six weeks of age against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis and invasive infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b while Hexa vaccine is used to prevent six diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, poliomyelitis (polio) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). According to Mr. Phu, hexa vaccines is currently in shortage globally but Vietnam will soon receive 200,000 shots. However, the shortage of pentaxim vaccines will continue for a while. Meanwhile. Mr. Phu emphasized that Vietnam was recently recognized by the World Health Organization to be able to produce vaccines for export. Therefore, the local healthcare is trustworthy and that parents should have their children vaccinated through subsidized program in the proper period instead of waiting for paid vaccines. (Dai Doan Ket – Great Unity Aug 10 p2, Danvietn.vn Aug 4, VnMedia Aug 6)