HCMC - The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) said today, April 20, that it had allocated 500,000 doses of the five-in-one vaccine for children to Pasteur Institutes and other vaccination centers in the country.

Duong Thi Hong, deputy director of the NIHE, said that the vaccine distribution was done on April 16 after the quality of the five-in-one vaccine had been certified. This is part of 2.8 million doses of the five-in-one vaccine acquired through bidding earlier this year, as directed by the Ministry of Health. The doses will be promptly administered to children in routine vaccinations and additional doses for children who have yet to have the three doses as required. The ministry will continue to provide the vaccine in subsequent rounds to ensure a consistent supply for the expanded vaccination program throughout the year. The DPT-VGB-Hib (SII) vaccine, also known as the five-in-one vaccine, guards against five diseases: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, pneumonia and purulent meningitis caused by Hib bacteria. These diseases pose significant risks to young children, impacting their health, growth, and sometimes leading to fatal outcomes.