Two influenza vaccines, IVACFLU-S and IVACFLY, which have been successfully produced in Vietnam, were introduced at a workshop held by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) and the Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) in the central province of Khanh Hoa on September 25.

Illustrative image.

The vaccines are the result of a project to improve the capacity of developing influenza vaccines in Vietnam, which has been carried out since 2010.

VACFLU-S (seasonal influenza vaccine) provides immunity against the Influenza B virus and the H1N1, H3N2 subtypes of the Influenza A virus, while IVACFLY provides immunity against the H5N1 subtype of the Influenza A virus.

Participants at the event shared guidance and global progammes related to influenza vaccines, international assistance for building policies, regulations and directions of the Ministry of Health on flu vaccines and a summary of the reports on the results of clinical trials of IVACFLY produced by IVAC in the first, second and third phases.

IVAC Director Associate Professor, Doctor Le Van Be said the institute has successfully conducted clinical trials for the two vaccines.

Both of the vaccines are safe, enabling healthy adults to be immune from flu, he said, adding that the vaccines have undergone many clinical trials since 2017.

Since 2010, PATH, an international, non-profit, global health organisation, has worked with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health to devise a long-term plan on influenza vaccine production and consumption, as well as guidance on clinical trials and vaccine registration.

Over the 2017-2018 period, the second phases of the vaccine trials for seasonal influenza and A/H5N1 were completed, paving the way for the vaccines to be licensed for commercial use.

Notably, the price of the vaccines will only be one-third of imported vaccines, standing at VND 80,000- VND 120,000 (USD 3.5-USD 5) per dose.

In the framework of the workshop, the participants continued to discuss the vision, direction and use of sustainable development of influenza vaccines in Vietnam, as well as sharing international experience in vaccination registration for influenza vaccinations./.

VNF/NDO