Vietnam has successfully produced an inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine. (Source: nld.com.vn) Hanoi (VNA) - TheInstitute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) of Vietnam has announcedthe successful production of inactivated seasonal influenzavaccine (IVACFLU-S) for commercial use.
The results were recorded after a period of study, trial and production fromJanuary 2015 to January 2018, according to IVAC.
The vaccine targets three strains of influenza: A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B.
The production process was in line with instructions of the World HealthOrganisation (WHO) and was assessed to meet quality standards, IVAC said.
Quality assessment and clinical trial results showed that the vaccine metquality and safety standards and was in line with WHO’s warnings and Vietnam’s regulations.
If IVAC is licensed to produce the vaccine it will be sold between 80,000-120,000VND (3.5-5.3 USD) per dose.
At present, Vietnam imports influenza vaccine at a price of 240,000-300,000VND (10.6-13.3 USD) per dose.
IVAC proposed State management agencies to recognise its production line with acapacity of 1.5 million doses per year.
Influenza is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Seasonalinfluenza causes 250,000-500,000 fatalities and up to five million cases ofsevere illness across the globe every year.
If a highly virulent pandemic strain were to emerge, influenza could causemillions of fatalities around the world.
Vietnam reports more than a million cases of influenza-like illnesses everyyear and has reported isolated cases of avian influenza A/H5N1 in humans, astrain with a particularly high fatality rate.
The strain is being monitored for any evolution or adaptations that could turnit into a form that can spread efficiently among people, which will increasethe likelihood of a pandemic.
IVAC, established in 1978 by the Ministry of Health, plans and carries out theproduction of vaccines and serum for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in Vietnamand the overall prevention and treatment of diseases. It also conducts researchand applies technological advances in vaccine development and production incooperation with organisations both within and outside the country.-VNA
VNA
