Vietnam capable of ensuring adequate vaccines for immunisation

Vietnam will use alternative vaccines in a replacement of the 5 in 1 Quinvaxem imported vaccine due to the halt in production from Korean manufacturer Berna Biotech Korea Corp, a senior official from the Ministry of Health (MoH) has affirmed.

Assoc. Prof., Dr. Tran Dac Phu, Head of the MoH’s Department of Preventive Medicine has granted Nhan Dan Online an interview regarding the Quinvaxem vaccine conversion and the introduction of new vaccines into the expanded immunisation programme for 2018. He stated that the health sector is capable of ensuring adequate vaccinations for children, as well as producing its own supply of new vaccines to reduce imports.

Currently, in Vietnam, there are more than 30 vaccines and several are used in extended vaccinations, such as the 5 in 1 Quinvaxem and vaccines against tuberculosis, diphtheria, measles, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, meningitis, rubella, and rota. The 5 in 1 Quinvaxem vaccine has been used since 2010, and 42 million doses have been injected during the national expanded immunisation programme. Over the past seven years, Quinvaxem have made great strides, contributing significantly to the prevention and control of the most common children’s infectious diseases, including diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and pneumonia/meningitis caused by Hib bacteria.

Pointing to the impressive statistics for immunisation in 2017, Dr. Phu informed that vaccination coverage nationwide last year reached over 95%. 2017 is the 18th year in a row that Vietnam successfully prevented any new case of polio and also the 12th consecutive year of maintaining zero infections of neonatal tetanus. Measles and rubella are still controlled with no large-scale outbreaks. At the same time, it was also the first year that the expanded immunisation programme has covered 95% of children under one year of age.

The Korean manufacturer has announced it is ceasing production of Quinvaxem, so Vietnam and other countries using this 5 in 1 vaccine must convert to alternatives. The replacement is normal, Dr. Phu said, adding that the MoH had developed a roadmap to select the vaccines with similarities to Quinvaxem in ingredients and effectivity as a suitable replacement. The remaining nationwide stockpile of Quinvaxem vaccine is enough to satisfy demand until the end of next May.

"We will select the most widely used vaccines in the world for import to Vietnam and will carry out small-scale injections in four provinces first. From next June, the programme will be carried out on a national scale. Currently, the MoH has not finalised the vaccine yet," Dr. Phu informed.

In order to ensure that children are vaccinated on a continuous basis with sufficient vaccines, the senior health official suggested that parents should not hesitate in getting their children injected with the new 5 in 1 vaccine. In particular, he advised people not to avoid the injection for 5 in 1 vaccine to avoid the high threat of diseases like diphtheria and pertussis.

Regarding the MoH’s plan to replace several vaccines with domestically produced alternatives this year, in addition to the 5 in 1 vaccine conversion, the ministry will put into use MR 2 in 1 - a measles-rubella vaccine produced by the Centre for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals on a national scale for children aged 18 months from next month. This will reduce the costs of importing the foreign made MR vaccine.

In addition, to continue promoting achievements in anti-poliomyelitis, along with the continuation of letting children from two to four months of age use three doses of the routine oral bOPV vaccine, the MoH will add the injected IPV vaccination for 5-month-olds to the expanded vaccination programme from August this year.

Investment in vaccine production is necessary because of the large population in Vietnam, Dr. Phu said, adding that self-produced supplies would ensure vaccine security and help the domestic health sector to reduce dependence on imported vaccines. Currently, Vietnam has produced more than ten types of vaccines, including those against tuberculosis, measles, rubella, rota, cholera, typhoid, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and combined measles-rubella. The Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals in Nha Trang is developing influenza and 5 in 1 vaccines.

“We are going to produce multi-dose vaccines to help children avoid getting multiple injections. However, we are still unable to produce the 5 in 1 vaccine yet, so, in future, we will have to continue to improve vaccine technologies to produce "made in Vietnam" vaccines,” Dr. Phu stressed.

Ministry explains reasons for sluggish traffic constructions in South region

At press brief on March 29, the Ministry of Transport leaders answered questions relating to slow progress of traffic projects which raised public concern.

Upon the project Trung Luong – My Thuan expressway, Deputy Transport Minister Nguyen Ngoc Dong said that the project investor was encountering financial difficulties because it had not signed the credit contract with its bank because of the high interest rate proposed from the bank under the Ministry of Finance’s circular No.75.

In its document, the Ministry required from now to May 31, the two sides – the investor and the bank – must sign the credit contract or else the Ministry will end the contract with the investor, he said.

The termination of contract will make progress slower; additionally, the Ministry will select another investor for the project , accordingly, it takes more time and money, he added.

Mentioning to a crack on a girder of under-construction Vam Cong Bridge connecting Mekong delta city of Can Tho and Dong Thap province, the representative of the ministry said that this was a rare case in the world, therefore, Vietnam invited foreign experts to work with local experts in finding out the cause and solution.

The report on the case is scheduled to send to the Ministry in April, he said.

Meantime, construction project of Cao Lanh Bridge and paths connecting the bridge with Vam Cong is basically complete and open to traffic soon. However, progress Vam Cong Bridge will be hampered by the appearance of the crack.

The Ministry also talked about Cai Lay Project on Tien Giang province which Deputy Prime Minister Tring Dinh Dung asked the Ministry to go on research on the project while waiting for the government’s decision.

Nevertheless, with present growth speed, it is urgent to upgrade the airport capacity to 50 million passengers a year. Hence, the Ministry have to recalculate the cost of the project. The fund for expansion of the airport will be taken from the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV)’s budget and social contributions.

Detailed regulation on funds for innovative startup introduced

The government has just issued Decree No.38/2018/ND-CP on regulation for investment into small and medium startup and innovative firms.

Accordingly, investors can raise capital for a startup fund in Vietnam dong, gold, land use right, and other assets that can be valued in Vietnam dong. However, they are not allowed to use loans to contribute to any innovative startup fund.

Regarding investment activities, the Decree states that investors cannot deposit more than 50 percent of the charter capital of small and medium startup and innovative firms. All the capital contributions and assets of investors of a fund must be audited independently from their fund management company. 

All investors of a fund arrange among themselves the right to decide investment fields, which must be clearly stated in the fund regulations as well as the contract between investors with their fund management company if available.

In addition, investors of a fund can found or hire a fund management company who will be responsible for procedures to set up the fund and announcements on additional investment sectors and fields under the provisions of the government’s regulations on enterprise registration.

Innovation and startup awards initiated

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Department of Science and Technology has just announced that they would begin receiving registers for the Innovation and Startup Awards I-Star 2018 from now until the end of August 31, 2018.

The awards are to honor organizations and individuals who have achieved success in start-up and innovation activities. This is also an opportunity for organizations and individuals to exchange valuable experience.

Candidates for the awards are divided into 4 groups: start-up and innovative businesses in HCMC; new and innovative solutions that have already been applied in HCMC to address community issues; innovative media products that have positive effects on start-up people; organizations and individuals who have active contribution via their support and consultation for start-up and innovative activities.

Valid profiles will be uploaded onto the web portal www.doimoisangtao.vn/giaithuong2018 by the organization board so that the public can vote until the end of September 30, 2018.

The public votes, which are a new idea in this year’s award season, account for 20 percent of the total points a profile can receive. The other 80 percent out of 100 points will be marked by the organization board in accordance with the criteria of innovation and social effects.

In addition, regarding the group of start-up and innovative businesses, there is also a criterion of economic effectiveness. As to the group of organizations and individuals who have made active contribution, the marks depend on the value of their contribution to the start-up and innovation community.

The board of organization will select 10 best profiles for the final round. There are 3 equally ranked awards for each group.

The award announcement ceremony will be held in October 2018 in the framework of the Week of Ho Chi Minh City Innovation, Startup and Entrepreneurship– WHISE 2018.

Nam Định determined to win points this weekend

Defender Phạm Minh Nghĩa of Nam Định tries to block an attack from Hải Phòng during their V.League last week. — Photo bongda.com.vn

Bottom-of-the-league Nam Định FC want to earn points when they meet former champions Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in the fourth round of the V. League this weekend.

Nam Định, who were just promoted to the National Premier League this year, currently have just one point after three matches and arrived at the Central Highland city of Pleiku several days before the match.

“We are here early so our players can recover after a long journey. It is just the start of the tournament but we have gained much experience from playing in the V. League. We must try in every match to make sure that we can stay in the league,” said coach Nguyễn Văn Sỹ.

“We understand that it will be tough for us and it has proven to be during first three matches. We only have one point. I must really encourage my players to work together to fix our problems. Our inaccurate finishing is the main reason for our poor results,” he added.

The former national team defender also admitted that his two foreign players have not integrated well with the team and kept up with the pace of the tournament, but he hopes that they will try harder and help Nam Định in the coming matches.

“In the match with Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, we will try to take home at least one point,” he said.

The host side have also not reached their best form, earning just two points from two matches.

Against Nam Định, they will not have talented midfielder Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, who only returned to action this season but is sidelined again after injuring himself last week.

Other players, such as striker Nguyễn Công Phượng and midfielders Lương Xuân Trường and Vũ Văn Thanh, have spent a lot of energy at the Asian Cup qualifying match against Jordan last week, and may not be in their best form.

Nguyễn Đức Thắng, the coach of Sông Lam Nghệ An, also wants a surprise result against FLC Thanh Hóa this week.

The former V. League winners have not done well in recent seasons and the same is happening this year, after achieving only one draw and being ranked fourth from the bottom.

However, their remarkable result at the AFC Cup is a strong motivation to do well in the local competition.

Sông Lam Nghệ An are top of Group H in the tournament and have nearly qualified for the next stage.

Thắng and his players have prepared extensively for the match, and they arrived in Thanh Hóa four days ahead to practice.

“We were not lucky in our first few matches, but we are confident about being the visiting team against Thanh Hóa. Apart from the injured Ngọc Toàn, our other players are in good condition,” said Thắng, who also expressed his worries about the four players who just completed their national duty this week.

“They just came home after a long trip from Jordan and only joined the team for two training sessions. They may not be on their best form on Sunday. Thanh Hóa has spent a lot of money on the squad and coach, but I think that they have not found their rhythm. It will be an opportunity for Sông Lam Nghệ An,” Thắng added.

Hà Nội FC will welcome back their captain, Nguyễn Văn Quyết, after his ban from last season. However, they have a list of injured players ahead of their visit to Becamex Bình Dương at the Gò Đậu Stadium.

Defender Đoàn Văn Hậu and two midfielders, Nguyễn Thành Chung and Trương Văn Thái Quý, who have been injured since January’s Asian U23 Championship, are not yet fit to play.

Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm also has the midfielder Duy Khánh and defender Văn Dũng, who suffered from a herniated disc, while Quang Hải, Đình Trọng and Duy Mạnh have just returned home from Jordan.

After three games, Hà Nội are second with six points and one match to play.

Bình Dương will have their best players available, including national striker Nguyễn Anh Đức, who scored a goal in Việt Nam’s 1-1 draw against Jordan.

In the other matches, Quảng Ninh Coal will play defending champions Quảng Nam at home, Sanna Khánh Hòa will face HCM City FC, SHB Đà Nẵng will entertain Sài Gòn FC, and Hải Phòng will host Cần Thơ.

192 primary school teams play in final of HCM City football festival

As many as 192 teams from 96 primary schools in HCM City are taking part in the final round of the 2017-18 School Football Festival at the Tao Đàn Stadium in District 1.

They teams went through a six-month qualifying round to win a ticket to the final round which ends on Sunday (April 1).

The tournament is part of the “School Football” project and “Active Việt Nam” programme organised by the HCM City Football Federation, the city Department of Education and Training and Nestle’s Milo brand.

Milo has gifted schools with sports equipments such as 95 goal posts, 3,000 balls, and uniforms besides providing funds for organising the tournament.

The School Football Festival seeks to foster children’s passion for football.

According to Trần Đình Huấn, general secretary of the HCM City Football Federation, the tournament also offers a chance to identify young talent.

Women’s football team trounce Monchengladbach club 11-0

The national women’s football team of Việt Nam defeated female club Monchengladbach 11-0 in their second friendly match during their training course in Germany on Thursday.

The victory was unexpected as Monchengladbach rank second in their local league.

In their first friendly match on Tuesday, Việt Nam drew Bayern Munich 1-1.

Việt Nam will continue to practise in Germany before they fly to Jordan for the Asian Women’s Cup, which will begin on April 6.

Việt Nam are placed in Group B with Japan, South Korea and Australia.

The Southeast Asian champions will first play Japan on April 7.

Huynh, Bình win Chinese chess titles

Lại Lý Huynh won the men’s title at the National Individual Chinese Chess Tournament, which concluded in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province on Thursday.

Huynh of Bình Dương won seven and drew two to score eight points and dominated the standard category.

This is his fourth national title, becoming the third successful Master in Việt Nam behind Trềnh A. Sáng (seven titles) and Mai Thanh Minh (five titles).

Trần Thanh Tân of HCM City won silver, while Nguyễn Văn Kiên of Hà Nội claimed bronze.

On the women’s side, Hoàng Thị Hải Bình of HCM City marked her return to the top 14 years after dropping out of the leading group.

Bình lost only one match to her teammate, Trần Tuệ Doanh, while winning the rest six games to top the podium for the third time.

Nguyễn Hoàng Yến, also from HCM City, and Doanh came second and third, respectively.

Tâm wins second stage, Loic keeps yellow jersey

Nguyễn Thành Tâm won the second stage of the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament on Friday.

Tâm of Gạo Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang made great sprints in the last few metres to win the 42.5km stage around Lạng Sơn City with a time of 1hr 6.48min.

He defeated brothers Lê Văn Duẩn and Lê Nguyệt Minh of VUS HCM City, who came second and third, respectively.

The win helped Tâm top the green jersey ranking with 15 points.

French cyclist Loic Desriac of Bike Like Đồng Nai remained the leading athlete after two stages, timing 1:14.06.

Sarda Pered Javier of  Gạo Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang was second and Mai Nguyễn Hưng of VUS HCM City third.

In the team rankings, VUS HCM were on top, followed by Gạo Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang and Domesco Đồng Tháp.

The third stage today is from Lạng Sơn to Hà Nội for 160km.