Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy develops postgraduate training program on vaccines

According to the plan, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy will develop, approve and introduce a course on vaccines and viruses from 2026, before expanding it to medical schools nationwide.

Experts share at scientific conference - Photo: H.MY

On November 10, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy organized a scientific workshop "Orientation for developing vaccine subjects in postgraduate training: Needs, trends and actions", with the accompaniment of GSK Vietnam.

Towards specialized vaccine training

The event created a forum for discussion on including vaccines in postgraduate programs, aiming to improve preventive medicine capacity, towards sustainable health care in the context of Vietnam's rapidly aging population.

According to experts, vaccination is one of the most effective preventive measures, second only to clean water. Research by the Oxford Vaccine Group (UK) shows that vaccination helps save about 4 million lives each year and plays an important role in implementing the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

Speaking at the workshop, Associate Professor, Dr. Ngo Quoc Dat, Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said: "Some European countries and the United States have included the vaccine module in the medical training program, helping medical staff improve their knowledge, skills and become more confident in consulting and practicing vaccination.

When properly trained, the medical team can implement vaccinations synchronously and effectively and encourage people to proactively prevent diseases. Building a vaccine course at the postgraduate level is a practical initiative, strengthening the foundation of preventive medicine, meeting the needs of health care in the aging society."

At the workshop, Professor, Knight Jonathan Van-Tam - Honorary Professor, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham (UK), former Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the UK (2017-2022) - shared his experience in implementing a lifelong vaccination program and training vaccinologists for medical students.

He emphasized: "The socio -economic value of vaccination for adults can be 19 times higher than the investment cost. I believe that Vietnam is making a strong transformation by focusing on preventive medicine and lifelong vaccination plans, especially for the elderly."

Building a sustainable preventive medicine foundation

According to the plan, the course on vaccines and viruses will be developed, approved and put into teaching by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, from 2026, expected to train more than 2,000 doctors each year, before being expanded to medical schools across the country in 2027.

Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, commented: " Vaccines are an effective and economical disease prevention measure, not only for infectious diseases but also to help reduce complications of non-communicable diseases. However, the application of vaccines in clinical practice still faces many barriers."

According to him, the major obstacles are policy and cost. Although vaccination is cheaper than treatment, the price of vaccines is still high, causing difficulties for people.

"Even when doctors recommend it, vaccination sites are still hesitant to accept it, especially for the elderly or those with underlying diseases, due to concerns about complications and lack of legal protection," said Mr. Chau.

He said the biggest barrier now is the lack of specific policies, regulations and training programs to ensure doctors feel confident prescribing vaccines in hospitals.

"When medical staff are not truly confident in the role of vaccines , it is difficult for them to convince people to proactively get vaccinated," Mr. Chau emphasized.

The workshop is considered an important first step for the health and education sectors to coordinate in building a solid preventive medicine foundation, aiming for the goal of lifelong vaccination and proactive health care for the Vietnamese people.

THUY DUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dai-hoc-y-duoc-tp-hcm-phat-trien-chuong-trinh-dao-tao-sau-dai-hoc-ve-vac-xin-20251110175409796.htm