Volunteers injecting experimental vaccine Covivac. Photo: General Writing Domestic vaccines can reach 20-30 million doses/year According to the Ministry of Health, so far, the country has two manufacturers researching and developing vaccines against Covid-19.
The Nanocovax vaccine of the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Joint Stock Company has been approved for a phase 3 clinical trial (TNLS). In the past few days, the Military Medical Academy has administered experimental injections to volunteers aged 18.
According to the research outline, phase 3 will test on about 13,000 volunteers in many provinces and cities such as Hanoi, Hung Yen, Long An, Tien Giang, etc. In the North, the Military Medical Academy will act as the focal point for deployment. at Military Medical Hospital 103 and Hung Yen province’s preventive health center deployed locally. The southern area will be professionally handled by the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with the preventive health centers of Long An and Tien Giang provinces.
At the Military Medical Academy, there are currently more than 6,000 volunteers registered to participate in the trial, of which more than 600 people have been screened and are eligible to participate. In the immediate future, in the first phase of the TNLS phase 3, the Military Medical Academy will test 1,000 people. According to the Military Medical Academy, before that, in stages 1 and 2 of the Nano Covax vaccine trial, 100% of people who injected immunity were protected against the attack of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In the phase 3 trial, the Nano Covax vaccine was administered to volunteers from 18 years of age, and there was no maximum age limit for the trial participants. Currently, the oldest person to register for TNLS injection phase 3 is 83 years old. Nano Covax vaccine will also be administered to volunteers with chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes (stable disease, do not inject during acute phase) to evaluate the results of immunogenicity. fluid, post-injection reaction… The results of the phase 3 clinical trial are the basis for the Ministry of Health to grant emergency permits and widely inject people to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic, which is expected in the fourth quarter of this year. Earlier, during a working visit to the Military Medical Academy, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue asked the Military Medical Academy to continue to closely coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to urgently accelerate the implementation of clinical trials. Preparing phase 3 of Nanocovax vaccine, striving for early results to have a preventive vaccine for the community. However, when manufacturing, vaccines must ensure superiority in antibody generation time, with the shortest number of days; minimize side effects to a minimum, especially for people with weak health and underlying diseases; at the same time, must be able to resist and destroy future mutations. In addition, the COVIVAC vaccine of the Nha Trang Institute of Vaccines and Biologicals, is currently in the first phase of the TNLS and is about to be transferred to the second phase of research in Thai Binh.
According to the Ministry of Health, the COVIVAC vaccine is expected to produce about 6 million doses per year and can increase capacity when invested. Meanwhile, with the Nanocovax vaccine, which is expected to produce about 20-30 million doses per year, Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Joint Stock Company can increase its capacity when invested.
A vaccine is coming soon that only requires one dose
Information from the Department of Science and Technology (Ministry of Health), a Vietnamese enterprise has discussed and negotiated with the US manufacturer on conditions for transferring technology to produce Covid-19 vaccine from mRNA essence. It is known that this vaccine only needs to be injected with a single dose of 5 mg, has high protection (based on the results of TNLS phase 1, 2), has a storage temperature of 20 – 80 degrees Celsius, currently the vaccine has been tested. end of trial phase 1, 2).
The first factory following the manufacturer’s technology standards will increase the capacity of 100-200 million doses/year, and is expected to start production from the end of 2021 or the first quarter of 2022. In addition, the No. 1 Vaccine and Biological Products Company Limited (VABIOTECH) is also negotiating with a Japanese partner to receive the transfer of vaccine production technology to Vietnam. In addition, VABIOTECH signed an agreement with the Direct Investment Fund of the Russian Federation on the closure of Sputnik-V Covid-19 vaccine tubes from semi-finished products with a scale of 5 million doses/month starting from July 2021. , towards transferring production technology with the scale of 100 million doses/year.
According to Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, vaccines are an important weapon to bring life back to normal. Therefore, the Politburo has a policy on import, research, production and technology transfer for vaccines. Along with creating maximum conditions and quickly solving procedures for businesses and localities to import vaccines, Vietnam also promotes research and domestic production of vaccines. Vietnam is one of the first four countries in the world to isolate the SARS-CoV-2 virus, paving the way for research and production of vaccines, and many positive prospects for people to soon receive domestic vaccines. In addition, the Ministry of Health has worked with many foreign partners, negotiated to buy vaccine copyrights, transfer technology so that Vietnam can get the vaccine as soon as possible and be independent in the source of vaccines used in the country.
Recently, the Ministry of Health has negotiated with Johnson & Johnson Corporation with the hope that this unit will transfer technology to set up a vaccine factory in Vietnam. According to Minister Nguyen Thanh Long, many large corporations in Vietnam want to participate in the global vaccine supply chain. Vietnam is also one of more than 40 countries that can produce vaccines for the vaccination needs of the people, so the vaccine production experience of Vietnamese factories is guaranteed. Vietnam’s national vaccine management system (NRA) has also been certified as meeting standards by the World Health Organization (WHO). Johnson & Johnson’s side commits that after working with the Ministry of Health, it will make efforts to implement solutions to speed up the supply process through the COVAX mechanism, so that Vietnam can have Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine as soon as possible. However, Minister Nguyen Thanh Long also said that, to ensure vaccine security, one of the very important issues is to ensure a sustainable financial source for vaccines. Therefore, the Minister wishes that the community, authorities and businesses continue to support the Vaccine Fund. Vietnam has self-produced many vaccines and put them into the expanded vaccination program, contributing to the eradication and repelling of many dangerous diseases. This is the premise for the successful production of a Covid-19 vaccine. In fact, the research and production of vaccines against Covid-19 faces many difficulties and challenges, but this is the inevitable path we must go if we want to actively supply vaccines to serve the people. Over the past time, the Ministry of Health and State management agencies have created all conditions for administrative procedures for units to conduct vaccine production in the most favorable way. We can fully expect a “made in Vietnam” vaccine because at the moment, everything is going well.

Senior Advisor of the Center for Emergency Response to Public Health Events, Assoc. Tran Dac Phu The success of a vaccine depends not only on the manufacturer, researcher, and manager, but also on the social community. Therefore, we call for the cooperation of society, all people with the health sector to have a clinical trial research program, first of all, to be safe and effective to have a product soon. vaccines produced by Vietnam for the community.

Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Investment (Ministry of Health), Dr. Nguyen Ngo Quang

Polish Health Minister Adam Niedzielski (Image: Thefirstnews) According to Minister Niedzielski, in addition to the certificate using the software application, people will be able to request a hard copy at any medical facility or vaccination center. The official start of the Covid-19 certification system will take place on July 1. Fully vaccinated people with EU Covid-19 certificates will be exempt from travel-related restrictions such as testing or quarantine. The EU Covid-19 Digital Certificate was proposed by the European Commission in April to facilitate safe and free movement within the EU during the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, in addition to Poland, there are 6 other EU countries that have issued Covid-19 certificates. It is expected that all EU countries will introduce this solution on July 1 (with a transition period of 6 weeks).

These are individuals participating in groups, groups and units, including: Special Working Group of the Ministry of Health; working groups to support Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control from universities: Hanoi Medicine, Public Health, Hai Duong Medical Technology; Pasteur Institute Nha Trang, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Bach Mai Hospital, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Thai Nguyen Central Hospital. Notably, there are more than 300 students who are the pioneers involved in sampling, tracing and testing. During the Covid-19 epidemic that broke out in our country from the end of April 2021, many units, provinces and cities have sent officials, experts, nurses, doctors, technicians and medical staff.. support epidemic prevention and control in hot spots, including Bac Ninh and Bac Giang. The commendation of the Ministry of Health is a timely recognition of contributions, in order to encourage morale, arouse the enthusiasm of the medical force on the front lines, improve determination, action, efforts, and strength. Moreover, together with the whole country to soon fight the epidemic. Step 1: Visit https://www.bluezone.gov.vn or download directly at App Store or CH Play. Step 2: Once downloaded, the application will ask for permission to use Bluetooth to record contact with other Bluezone installed users. If Bluetooth is not open, drag the status bar and turn on Bluetooth; or go to Settings, select Bluetooth and turn it on. Step 3: Once the installation is done, click Scan Around. If someone near you less than 2m has used Bluezone, the application will automatically identify these users and put them in the contact list.

From the beginning of the fourth epidemic until now, the Department of Science, Technology and Training (Ministry of Health) has also directed health human resource training institutions nationwide to prepare and be ready to mobilize staff and lecturers. , students and students volunteered to participate in the prevention and control of Covid-19 epidemic. On May 27, the Ministry of Health mobilized staff, lecturers, trainees and students to volunteer to support the provinces of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh with the number of volunteers supporting 375 people. In which, Hanoi Medical University has 120 people, Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy has 104 people, Vietnam Academy of Traditional Medicine has 36 people, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy has 65 people, University Nursing Nam Dinh has 50 people. The delegations were present in Bac Giang province today. Particularly, the delegation of Nam Dinh University of Nursing will be present tomorrow (May 28). Currently, 1,976 officials and students from 15 universities and colleges of medicine and pharmacy are participating in epidemic prevention and control activities in 13 provinces and cities: Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. Minh, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Can Tho, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Thua Thien – Hue, Dien Bien, K Hospital and assist the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) in implementing Currently monitoring, evaluating and reporting epidemic developments by provinces. As of 12 p.m. on May 27, 34 training institutions have informed the Department of Science, Technology and Training (Ministry of Health) the number of officials, lecturers, students and students who are willing to participate in supporting the department. , against the Covid-19 epidemic when mobilized was 23,888 people. Step 1: Visit https://www.bluezone.gov.vn or download directly at App Store or CH Play. Step 2: Once downloaded, the application will ask for permission to use Bluetooth to record contact with other Bluezone installed users. If Bluetooth is not open, drag the status bar and turn on Bluetooth; or go to Settings, select Bluetooth and turn it on. Step 3: Once the installation is done, click Scan Around. If someone near you less than 2m has used Bluezone, the application will automatically identify these users and put them in the contact list.

The new Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik Light was registered on May 6. (Source: Sputnik) According to Russian Health Minister Murashko, just registered a few days ago, the Sputnik Light vaccine has attracted interest abroad. However, Mr. Murashko did not specify which countries have shown interest in this vaccine. Sputnik Light is the first component of Sputnik V – a recombinant human viral vector of serotype 26 (rAd26). The Gamaleya Research Institute, together with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), conducted a global trial of the effectiveness of Sputnik Light on February 21, and the vaccine was officially registered on May 6. The data showed that the vaccine was 79.4% effective, higher than many two-component vaccines. The nearly 80% efficacy level is higher than many of the world’s two-dose vaccines, highlighting the vaccine’s proven effectiveness against all new variants. According to a report by the Russian Direct Investment Fund, no serious side effects were noted after vaccination with Sputnik Light; vaccines comply with standard logistics and storage requirements. The single-dose vaccine, which allows more people to be vaccinated in less time, is effective in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic during the acute phase of development. (according to Sputnik)

The Minister of Health directed at the online conference on strengthening COVID-19 epidemic prevention – Photo: VGP / Hien Minh

At the online conference to strengthen prevention of the COVID-19 epidemic held on April 16, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said that this Immunization Safety Steering Committee is responsible for setting the safety of vaccinations. to the top, always ready and confident in handling cases with post-injection reactions with the view of “where the injection is safe to get there”.

Also according to the Minister, during the first injection of AstraZeneca vaccine in 19 provinces and cities across the country, the surveillance system of the National Expanded Immunization Program recorded nearly 33% of vaccinated people having mild reactions. usually after injection and go away on its own after 1-2 days without the need for treatment or medical attention; About 1 (one thousandth) of cases of hypersensitivity reactions after injection have been properly managed, their health has stabilized, returned to work after 1-2 days of follow-up. treatment at a medical facility. In particular, to date, Vietnam has not recorded any cases of blood clots occurring after vaccination.

“The rate of 33% of people injected with normal mild reactions after injection and going away after 1-2 days is an acceptable number. With many of the current vaccines and the 5-in-1 vaccines being deployed in the expanded vaccination program, this rate could reach 50%. These are the very common reactions after vaccination, ”said Minister Nguyen Thanh Long.

With more than 811,000 doses of vaccine supported by COVAX, which just arrived in Vietnam on April 1, the Minister of Health asked localities to quickly and safely deploy injections, before May 15 to complete more than 811,000 doses. this. In particular, no dose of vaccine can be canceled due to not deploying the injection.

Meeting points online Conference – Photo: VGP / Hien Minh

At present, the epidemic situation in the world and neighboring countries with our country is still complicated, so the Minister emphasized that the control of COVID-19 epidemic in 2021 is still a challenge and difficulty. countries, including Vietnam, need to work to deal with it. Therefore, localities and people are not subjective, indifferent, always actively implement drastic measures to prevent epidemics.

The Minister also said that at present, the most “hot” region is the southwest border and the southwestern provinces. Therefore, the Ministry of Health suggested that these localities direct the maintenance of the border area by preventing illegal entry, making an important contribution to the fight against epidemics in the coming time. It will be difficult to control epidemics in the community.

Localities also need to proactively strengthen regular screening of places with a large concentration of people to detect cases, because the earlier we are screened, the more proactive we are in fighting the epidemic. This is a lesson from Cambodia, Thailand …, the Minister suggested.