Health

80-year-old vaccine researcher honoured with Hero of Labour title

Prof. Dr. Huynh Thi Phuong Lien has been awarded with the title of “Hero of Labour in the “Doi Moi” (Renewal) Period” in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the development of the vaccine industry in Vietnam from 2009 – 2019.
80-year-old vaccine researcher honoured with Hero of Labour title ảnh 180-year-old Prof. Dr. Huynh Thi Phuong Lien (left) is presented with the title of “Hero of Labour in the “Doi Moi” (Renewal) Period” by Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh on January 19. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prof. Dr. Huynh Thi Phuong Lienhas been awarded with the title of “Hero of Labour in the “Doi Moi” (Renewal)Period” in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the development ofthe vaccine industry in Vietnam from 2009 – 2019.

Lien is a senior specialist at the State-owned Companyfor Vaccine and Biological Production No.1 (Vabiotech) under the Ministry ofHealth, who had 53 years of experience in medicine.

The title was presented to the 80-year-old professor byVice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, who is also the First Vice President of theCentral Council for Emulation and Rewards, in a ceremony held at theHanoi-based Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology on January 19.

80-year-old vaccine researcher honoured with Hero of Labour title ảnh 2Prof. Dr. Huynh Thi Phuong Lien delivers an acceptance speech during the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
The Labour Hero title is to honour individuals withexceptional achievements in work and innovation, contributing to the buildingof socialism in Vietnam and safeguarding the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health Prof. Dr.Nguyen Thanh Long said the noble title is a recognition by the Party and Statefor the professor’s relentless work and daring and creative spirit in vaccineresearch and application, which is critical to the country’s efforts to combatcommunicable diseases and protect people’s well-being.

Despite many challenges, Lien and her co-workers atVabiotech have successfully produced vaccines against cholera, typhoid fever,smallpox and Japanese encephalitis, and participated in twelve State-level scientificstudies.

The first-generation vaccine against Japaneseencephalitis, developed by her team at Vabiotech, has been used in the NationalExpanded Programme on Immunisation since 1997. It is also the firstmade-in-Vietnam vaccine exported overseas.

Vabiotech is among four vaccine manufacturers in Vietnamthat have been developing vaccines against the COVID-19./.
80-year-old vaccine researcher honoured with Hero of Labour title ảnh 3Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long pay a visit to Vabiotech's vaccine lab. (Photo: VNA)
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