Obtaining sufficient vaccines for the Expanded Program on Immunization
The Ministry of Health asked relevant units to quickly plan vaccine supplies in 2024 and directed localities to be proactive in monitoring and detecting epidemics and speed up vaccination of at-risk individuals in order to localize and prevent epidemics.
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At the government’s regular press conference on December 6 in Hanoi, a representative of the Ministry of Health explained the Ministry’s views on expanding vaccination.
| The Expanded Program on Immunization, fully funded by the state, has been implemented at the national level since 1985. |
| Photo: VNA/CVN |
Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thi Linh Huong said the Expanded Immunization Programme, fully funded by the state, has been implemented nationwide since 1985 to provide free vaccinations to children under one year old. The number of vaccines has gradually increased over time, from six vaccines in 1985 to 10 vaccines today to prevent common and serious infectious diseases. Vaccines are also provided free of charge to pregnant women.
However, in 2023, in application of the budget law, localities will implement vaccine procurement procedures using their local budget. After implementation, many localities reported difficulties and problems.
Faced with this situation, the Ministry of Health reviewed the legal provisions and made purchases in the form of orders. So far, the Ministry has tasked the Ministry of Finance to review and approve the tariff cap plan. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health will approve the precise plan (December 2023) and grant the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to sign contracts with vaccine producers to receive the vaccines and distribute them immediately to the localities.
For the imported 5-in-1 vaccine, the Ministry of Health commissioned the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to conduct procurement operations in the form of a national tender, in accordance with the provisions of the Tender Law. The Ministry requested assistance from international and national organizations for the expanded immunization program.
Thus, at the end of August 2023, the Ministry of Health received 258,000 doses of the 5-in-1 vaccine, thanks to the support of the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
Art/shroud
