Officially incorporating proactive vaccination campaigns into the law.

(Chinhphu.vn) – One of the important new points in the Law on Disease Prevention 2025, recently passed by the National Assembly, is the official inclusion of proactive vaccination campaigns into the Law.

Mr. Duong Chi Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health, shared this information with reporters - Photo: VGP/HM

Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the event launching the Health Communication and Education Program on Disease Prevention using Vaccines and Biological Products for the period 2025-2027, Mr. Duong Chi Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health, shared that currently, Vietnam's immunization system mainly relies on the regular expanded immunization program.

The recently passed Law on Disease Prevention clearly outlines two forms of vaccination: "Compulsory vaccination" and "Voluntary vaccination". Accordingly, the Expanded Immunization Program includes routine vaccination, catch-up vaccination, proactive campaign vaccination, and other vaccination organization methods as decided by the Ministry of Health .

However, when certain diseases like measles occur, even with vaccination coverage rates of 90-95%, there is still an immunity gap each year due to the accumulation of 5-10% of children who have not been vaccinated or have not developed sufficient immunity. After 5 years, this accumulation can create conditions for outbreaks.

At that time, state-run vaccination campaigns were essential, and the Law on Disease Prevention recently passed by the National Assembly stipulated this matter.

"This regulation is very valuable because when assessing the epidemiological situation and evaluating community immunity, if the management agency detects a risk of an epidemic, it can immediately organize a vaccination campaign, promptly address the immunity gap, and proactively protect the community, instead of depending on aid or support programs as is currently the case, since the current Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases does not regulate this issue," Mr. Duong Chi Nam explained.

It is expected that by June 2026, when the guiding decree is issued, proactive vaccination campaigns and related vaccination issues will have a more complete legal framework.

Currently, vaccines in the expanded immunization program mainly focus on young children and pregnant women - Photo: VGP

Currently, all vaccines in the expanded immunization program are still focused on children and pregnant women. Influenza, HPV, and pneumococcal vaccines have also been included in the expanded immunization program, but their implementation will follow a roadmap from now until 2030. According to the plan, HPV and pneumococcal vaccines will be implemented on a small scale starting in early 2026, then expanded; influenza vaccines will be implemented from 2030.

Representatives from the Department of Disease Prevention also stated that several other new vaccines are being researched for gradual inclusion in the expanded immunization program. If trials are successful and achieve a high level of community immunity, they will be included in the expanded immunization program and administered free of charge to the public.

Expand the scope of disease prevention.

In fact, vaccination rates for all types of vaccines in our country have decreased significantly in recent years. The main reason is that during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, people did not pay attention to regular vaccinations, so the rates decreased for all types of vaccines.

Currently, the health sector is focusing on restoring and increasing vaccination rates for all types of vaccines to over 95%, aiming for the target by 2030. Once this level is reached and combined with proactive vaccination campaigns, diseases such as measles can be gradually eliminated according to WHO criteria.

According to Mr. Duong Chi Nam, the 2025 Law on Disease Prevention has expanded the scope of disease prevention, focusing not only on infectious diseases but also on non-communicable diseases, mental disorders, nutrition, school health, and many other risk factors…

This fundamentally changes Vietnam's approach to disease prevention towards a more comprehensive and proactive direction. In the coming period, the health sector will strengthen communication to ensure that people understand the new points and work together to implement them effectively.

Initially, the Ministry of Health's health education and communication program on disease prevention using vaccines and biological products for the period 2025-2027 will focus on extensive health education and communication activities to raise awareness among the public, parents, caregivers, and the community about the expanded immunization program, voluntary immunization, and the goal of lifelong immunization.

From there, we will continue to consolidate the vaccination achievements made over the years and spread the mindset of early disease prevention.

Hien Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/chinh-thuc-dua-tiem-chung-chien-dich-chu-dong-vao-luat-102251212163659661.htm