VietNamNet Bridge - The Drug Administration of Vietnam on February 20 approved the Vaccine and Biological Production Company No.1's proposal to import 77,600 doses of Varicella Vaccine - GCC to tackle the rapidly spreading chickenpox epidemic.

The chickenpox vaccine is not listed in the national expanded program on immunization, and stocks are reported to be insufficient.

The administration has sent documents to health departments, vaccine producers, traders and vaccination centers nationwide to register the number of vaccines needed to prevent shortages and price fluctuations that could hinder disease prevention.

Chickenpox epidemic is developing complicatedly in Vietnam. In Hanoi, dozens of chickenpox patients are examined at hospitals each day, most of them are not vaccinated against the disease.

At the same time, measles disease has broken out in 19 southern provinces and cities and it is also reported a shortage of measles vaccine.

Cam Quyen