After years of waiting, on Sept 20, VNVC launched Dengue vaccination for children desde age 4 and adults using Takeda's (Japan) vaccine.
On Sept 20, despite steady rain, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Yen's family visited the VNVC Center to receive Dengue vaccinations.
Ms. Yen's daughter, Khanh Ngan, was the first VNVC customer to receive this Dengue vaccine.
Rejoicing as the Dengue vaccine arrives
Two years ago, Khanh Ngan had Dengue fever. Having witnessed her struggle and seeing the disease spread, Ms. Yen's family decided to get vaccinated for protection.
Mr. Tran Minh (45), another early customer, got vaccinated due to the complex epidemic situation, despite having had Dengue once at age 6.
Besides vaccination, Mr. Minh maintains a clean environment to prevent mosquito breeding.
Hearing of the vaccine, Mr. P.T.L promised to bring his family on the weekend. Having seen his wife and child suffer, he knows how 'scary' it is. "I've waited a long time for this!" he said.
Mr. V.H.P, whose daughter recently recovered from Dengue at Children's Hospital 1, also expressed joy and plans to vaccinate his entire family.
Having cared for his lethargic daughter for days, the vaccine brings peace of mind, especially with neighbors still falling ill.
Ms. N.T.D from Dong Nai is also vaccinating her family and sharing the news with relatives after 7 people in her extended family caught Dengue.
City dwellers at high risk for Dengue fever
On Sept 20, VNVC officially launched and began Dengue vaccinations using Japan's Takeda vaccine for children (4+) and adults, as the first in Vietnam to do so.
At the launch, Assoc. Prof. Tran Dac Phu, former Preventive Medicine Director, called it a vital and joyful event, hoping the vaccine reduces cases, hospitalizations, and deaths to control the epidemic.
According to Dr. Bach Thi Chinh (VNVC), Takeda's vaccine has been used globally since 2018 in over 40 countries, prioritized for areas with complex epidemics.
The vaccine protects against all 4 Dengue virus types (DEN-1, 2, 3, 4), with over 80% efficacy and 90% reduction in hospitalization risk.
Importantly, the vaccine prevents reinfection, which is vital for Vietnam where many have had Dengue at least once.
Since subsequent infections are often more severe, timely vaccination protects health and lives.
To the question of how to protect children under 4, Dr. Chinh suggested that women get vaccinated before pregnancy.
Antibodies passed to the fetus protect the infant for 6 months. Thereafter, mosquito control is key. The vaccine requires 2 doses, 3 months apart.
Women should ideally complete vaccinations 3 months (at least 1 month) before pregnancy. Price is 1,390,000 VND per dose.
Mr. Phu recommended early vaccination in high-risk areas within the indicated age range to prevent infection.
Mr. Phu noted that cities are the highest-risk areas due to rapid urbanization and waste, followed by the Mekong Delta, Central coast, and Northern deltas.
