How to overcome the shortage of expanded immunization vaccines?

On the afternoon of December 15, speaking to the press at a press conference of the Ministry of Health, Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Thi Hong, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said that the 490,000 doses of the 5-in-1 vaccine donated by the Australian Government are enough to last for the next 1-2 months.

Vaccines will be allocated based on the proposed needs and implementation practices of 63 provinces/cities. The Ministry of Health also developed an allocation plan, accordingly, prioritizing vaccines for children who have not received the first dose of the 5-in-1 vaccine; priority will be given to children in the youngest age group from 2 months old first, then to older children, including children over 12 months old.

Next, the second and third booster shots are given to children who have not received all three doses of the 5-in-1 vaccine, including children over 12 months old.

Responding to the press about the causes and solutions to overcome the vaccine shortage, Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Thi Hong also said that in recent years, vaccine support from international organizations has shifted as Vietnam is no longer on the list of low-income, economically underdeveloped countries.

In 2023, implementing the State Budget Law, localities must carry out procedures for purchasing vaccines from local budgets, but face difficulties in arranging and approving funding, problems with bidding procedures, price approval as well as implementation experience...

For vaccines that can be produced domestically (10 types of vaccines), the Ministry of Health has reviewed legal regulations and implemented purchasing by ordering (a 9-step process). The Ministry of Health has appraised and sent the maximum price plan to the Ministry of Finance for consideration and approval, on the basis of which the Ministry of Health will approve the specific price plan. The Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Finance to resolve the issue, expected to be completed in December 2023.

The Deputy Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology acknowledged the current shortage of vaccines nationwide: “In fact, the situation of shortage of expanded immunization vaccines in 2023 clearly describes compliance with the State Budget Law and it was not until August 2023 that the Ministry of Health was allocated funding to supply vaccines. We have had a plan to supply vaccines since 2022, so a part of the vaccines has been used to overlap into 2023. We have lacked the 5-in-1 vaccine since February and have lacked booster vaccines against 3 diseases: diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus since April. Most of the remaining expanded immunization vaccines have been supplied until October 2023. Currently, we have recorded a shortage of vaccines nationwide.”

At the press conference, leaders of the units of the Ministry of Health also said that to solve the fundamental and long-term problem, the Ministry of Health is coordinating with relevant ministries and branches to consult on amending Decree No. 104/2016/ND-CP dated July 1, 2016 of the Government regulating vaccination activities, which allows the allocation of the central budget to ensure funding for purchasing vaccines for the expanded vaccination program. Accordingly, it is expected to be completed in January 2024.

At the same time, complete the purchase of domestically ordered vaccines (10 types) in December 2023 according to the number of provinces and cities proposing the demand by June 2024, to ensure vaccine supply activities in 2024 in the Expanded Immunization Program.

If the budget is allocated earlier, the Ministry of Health will soon place orders or bid for the purchase of vaccines for the Expanded Immunization Program in accordance with the law.

Dr. Hoang Minh Duc, Deputy Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) said: “In response to practical requirements, the Ministry of Health has coordinated with the Ministry of Finance to report to the Government and the Prime Minister to issue Resolution No. 98/NQ-CP dated July 10, 2023, Decision No. 931/QD-TTg dated August 5, 2023, allocating funds for the Ministry of Health to centrally purchase vaccines, and submit to the Government for promulgation of a Decree amending Decree No. 104/2016/ND-CP dated July 1, 2016. Currently, the Decree will be amended in the direction of allocating central funding to purchase vaccines.”