Ministry of Health proposes subjects required to use vaccines

The Ministry of Health is seeking public opinion on the promulgation of a list of infectious diseases, subjects and scope of mandatory use of vaccines and medical biological products.

Specifically, the Ministry of Health proposed a list of 13 infectious diseases, subjects required to use vaccines in the Expanded Immunization Program including: Hepatitis B virus, tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, Japanese encephalitis B, rubella, diarrhea caused by Rota virus, disease caused by pneumococcus, cervical cancer.

Vaccination schedules for vaccines in the Expanded Immunization Program are implemented according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health.

Regarding the list of infectious diseases, subjects that must use vaccines and medical biological products are required for people at risk of contracting infectious diseases in epidemic areas or traveling to epidemic areas, including: diphtheria, polio, whooping cough, rubella, measles, cholera, Japanese encephalitis B, rabies, influenza, Covid-19.

According to the draft, the determination of subjects using vaccines in the list prescribed in this Article shall be decided by the Department of Health submitted to the People's Committee of the province or city or under the direction of the Ministry of Health based on the epidemic situation, vaccine supply conditions, and local resources.

Regarding the scope of use of mandatory vaccines and medical biological products, the Ministry of Health proposes that vaccines in the list specified in Article 1 of this Circular be deployed nationwide for children and pregnant women in the Expanded Immunization Program.

For pneumococcal disease vaccines and cervical cancer vaccines, the scope of implementation is according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health on the basis of Resolution No. 104/NQ-CP dated August 15, 2022 of the Government on the roadmap to increase the number of vaccines in the Expanded Immunization Program for the period 2021 - 2030 and central and local resources.

The determination of the scope of use of vaccines and medical biological products in the list specified in Clause 1, Article 2 shall be decided by the Department of Health submitted to the People's Committee of the province or city or according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health based on the epidemic situation, vaccine supply conditions, and local resources.