Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy is about to include vaccine course in postgraduate training.

SKĐS - Faced with the reality of rapid aging, chronic diseases and increased immunodeficiency in the elderly, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy plans to include a vaccine course in postgraduate training to improve prevention capacity and develop high-quality medical human resources.

On November 10, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy organized a scientific conference with the theme "Orientation for developing vaccine courses in postgraduate training: Needs, trends and actions".

Vietnam is among the fastest aging countries in the world.

Dr. Hoang Tu Anh - Member of the Board of Directors of the International Federation of Aging (IFA) said that it is estimated that by 2050, the world will have about 2.1 billion elderly people, of which 80% will live in low and middle income countries.

In Vietnam alone, there are currently about 12 million people aged 60 and over, expected to exceed 21 million by 2035.

Dr. Hoang Tu Anh - Member of the Board of Directors of the International Federation of Aging (IFA) spoke.

Dr. Hoang Tu Anh - Member of the Board of Directors of the International Federation of Aging (IFA) shared at the workshop.

Vietnam is now among the fastest aging countries, while non-communicable diseases and age-related immunodeficiency are on the rise. It is estimated that two-thirds of older people have at least one chronic disease.

Although the average life expectancy is 74 years, Vietnamese people only have about 65 years of healthy life, which means the last 8-10 years of life must live with illness.

Older people are vulnerable to preventable infectious diseases, while the burden of non-communicable diseases and age-related immunosuppression is increasing.

"Although the vaccination rate in Vietnam is among the highest in the world, vaccination in adults and the elderly has not been given due priority due to limited public awareness of lifelong vaccination. Access to vaccines for adults is difficult due to costs, not widely covered by health insurance, and not fully integrated into public health programs," said Dr. Hoang Tu Anh.

Strategic steps to develop high-quality medical human resources

Associate Professor, Dr. Ngo Quoc Dat - Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy said that in some European countries and the United States, the vaccine course has been included in the medical training program, helping medical staff improve their knowledge, professional skills and become more confident in consulting, organizing and supervising safe and effective vaccination.

Associate Professor, Dr. Ngo Quoc Dat - Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy said that in some European countries and the United States, the course on vaccines has been included in the medical training program, helping medical staff improve their knowledge and professional skills.

The establishment of a vaccine course at the postgraduate level is a practical initiative, contributing to strengthening the foundation of preventive medicine, supporting the implementation of a lifelong vaccination program, and meeting the need for health protection in an aging society.

Associate Professor, Dr. Ngo Quoc Dat commented: "A systematic, interdisciplinary training program updated according to international standards on vaccines is an indispensable condition in the strategy of developing high-quality medical human resources."

The vaccine and virus course will be developed, approved and planned to be included in the official training program from 2026, with an expected training of more than 2,000 doctors each year and aiming to expand implementation to universities across the country by 2027.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/dai-hoc-y-duoc-tphcm-sap-dua-hoc-phan-vaccine-vao-dao-tao-sau-dai-hoc-169251110144019511.htm