Two seasonal influenza and A/H5N1 vaccines successfully produced

The Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) and the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) held a workshop on September 25-26 to announce the result of the project to improve the capacity of developing influenza vaccines in Vietnam and the successful production of two seasonal influenza and A/H5N1 vaccines. Many leading experts, professors and scientists attended the event. Tran Son Hai, Permanent Deputy Chairman of Khanh Hoa People’s Committee was present at the workshop.

 

Accordingly, IVACFLU-S (seasonal influenza vaccine) provides immunity against the Influenza B virus and the H1N1, H3N2 while IVACFLY provides immunity against the H5N1 subtype of the Influenza A virus. The vaccines cost VND80,000 – 100,000/ dose, only one-third or half of imported ones.

 

According to the IVAC development plan, the vaccines will be available on the market, paving the way for the vaccines to be included in the open immunization for vulnerable groups, including old people, children and pregnant women.

 

 

 

Associate professor, PhD Le Van Be, Director of the IVAC Institute says the institute began the research in 2010 and has successfully conducted clinical trials for the two vaccines. Both of the vaccines have proved safe, enabling healthy adults to be immune from flu. The IVAC is making registration for the circulation of the 2 vaccines which are the result of the 9-year cooperation effort to improve the capacity of developing influenza vaccines in Vietnam.

 

Reportedly, since 2010, PATH has worked with the Ministry of Health to develop a long-term plan on influenza vaccine production and consumption, as well as guidance on clinical trials and vaccine registration. PATH has cooperated with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the IVAC in the production of influenza vaccines and pandemic influenza- vaccines.

 

The achievement of 9 years of support and cooperation of PATH and the IVAC is the successful development of high quality seasonal influenza and pandemic vaccines at reasonable prices, assuring Vietnam’s supply of vaccines and sustainability for vaccine manufacturing, according to PhD. Nguyen Tuyet Nga, PATH Vietnam program team leader in the Mekong region.

 

The world’s current sources of vaccine development and production do not meet the demand, leaving many low- and middle-income countries inaccessible to vaccines. The successful production of influenza vaccines and sustainability for vaccine manufacturing have established Vietnam as a pioneer in vaccine development and production among low and middle-income countries. The IVAC’s efforts to produce influenza vaccine in the country not only benefit Vietnamese people, but also help increase the supply of flu vaccines in the region and the world, according to Guido Torelli, WHO representative.

 

Thanks to the support from international organizations, the IVAC has researched and successfully produced influenza A/H7N9 vaccines. The IVAC in cooperation with the WHO to develop avian influenza H7N9 candidate vaccine virus (CVV) as potency testing reagents to provide for NIBSC, U.K.

 

 

T.Ly

Translated by N.T