Rabies vaccine is sufficient to meet people’s demand. (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Rabies vaccine is sufficient to meet people’s demand, affirmed the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV).
The DAV made the statement in reply to the information about a lack of rabies vaccine due to the increasing demand in the first quarter of 2018 and this summer, noting that there are currently four types of rabies vaccines allowed to be present in Vietnam.
The agency asked the Health Departments in cities and provinces to instruct local inoculation units to have plans to reserve vaccines, sign bidding or purchase contracts and have alternative measures in case that the current supply of vaccine faces unexpected insufficiency.
The inoculation units which are facing risks of vaccine insufficiency need to actively contact with import and supply units to buy enough vaccines.
Statistics of the Health Ministry showed that Vietnam recorded 18 deaths due to rabies in the first four months of 2018, mainly in rural areas. All of the victims did not go for vaccination after being bitten by dogs.
According to the General Department of Preventive Medicine, hot weather from May to August is an ideal environment for the development of rabies. The rabies virus is transmitted through bites by infected animals, mostly dogs and cats.
Rabies is a dangerous infectious disease with a very high mortality rate, but it can be prevented and treated by using vaccines and anti-rabies serum.
The ministry advises people to carefully clean injuries with water and soap in 15 minutes when being bitten by cats or dogs, and then go to the nearest health clinic for consultation and vaccination.-VNA
VNA
