On February 23, 2024, the VNVC Vaccination Center System and GSK Pharmaceutical Group (UK) launched and deployed a new generation vaccine to prevent meningitis caused by group B meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis B). Nearly 40 years after the vaccine against meningococcal meningitis groups B and C (Cuba) was introduced in the world and put into use for many years, this is the first time Vietnam has had a similar type of vaccine against meningococcal meningitis group B, produced using new technology, increasing protection efficiency and safety when used.

VNVC vaccination system and GSK pharmaceutical group launched the vaccine to prevent meningitis caused by group B meningococcus on the morning of February 23. Photo: My Ngoc

Ms. Vu Thi Thu Ha - Supply Director of VNVC Vaccination System said that VNVC is the first vaccination center system in Vietnam to have a new generation vaccine produced by GSK in Italy to prevent meningitis caused by group B meningococcus. The vaccine is available at 165 VNVC centers nationwide and has been administered to thousands of children and adults. This is especially meaningful when the Cuban meningococcal B and C vaccines have been scarce on the market for a long time, causing many children to not be vaccinated according to the regimen. As of July 2023, the vaccine has been approved in 52 countries, of which 14 countries have included it in the national vaccination program such as the UK, Italy, Portugal, etc. The protective efficacy has been proven to be up to 94% against diseases caused by group B meningococcus. According to the VNVC representative, the vaccine is researched and produced using modern technology, based on the genome of meningococcal bacteria to develop vaccines (reverse vaccinology), containing four antigenic components that provide high and sustainable synergistic killing ability and allow for wide coverage. In addition, the new vaccine also provides early protection when injected into children from 2 months of age, earlier than the previous meningococcal vaccine in Vietnam that was injected into children from 6 months or 9 months of age. Children from 2 months to under 2 years old need 2 basic injections and a booster injection. Children from 2 years old and adults up to 50 years old only need 2 injections.

The new generation of meningococcal B vaccine has expanded the vaccination age to include children from 2 months old to people aged 50. Photo: My Ngoc

Dr. Bach Thi Chinh - Medical Director, VNVC Vaccination System analyzed: "In infants and young children, the immune system is not yet complete and the concentration of protective antibodies from the mother is reduced, leading to low antibacterial ability, which makes children more susceptible to disease. Children under 1 year old are at the highest risk of disease compared to other age groups, especially those under 5 months old. Signs of disease in young children are difficult to detect early. Early vaccination for children from 2 months of age will reduce the risk of disease as well as sequelae caused by group B meningococcus." According to Dr. Chinh, meningococcal bacteria have 12 different groups that can cause disease, of which A, B, C, Y and W135 are the 5 most common and dangerous disease-causing groups. The disease causes many dangerous complications such as: meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, arthritis, otitis media, pericarditis... Of which, meningitis and sepsis are the two most common and sudden-progressing diseases, which can lead to death within just 24 hours. The disease is also dangerous because it is often detected late, easily confused in diagnosis, leading to difficulty in timely treatment. Doctor. The new vaccine information can be injected at the same time as vaccines containing diphtheria, acellular pertussis, tetanus, Hib, inactivated polio, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox and meningococcal conjugate groups A, C, Y, W.

The dense purpura rash indicates a severe toxic complication of meningococcal meningitis. Source: Meningitis Now

Dr. Chinh emphasized that in the context of many epidemics such as Covid-19, flu, measles, chickenpox, dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, etc. threatening public health and climate change, air pollution, etc., vaccination to prevent diseases in general and diseases caused by meningococcus in particular is very necessary. VNVC currently has many new generation vaccines from the world's leading manufacturers such as: Imojev for Japanese encephalitis (Sanofi Pasteur), Prevenar 13 (Pfizer) for pneumococcal diseases, Menactra (Sanofi Pasteur) for meningococcal meningitis ACYW, Boostrix (GSK) for diphtheria - whooping cough - tetanus... In 2024, through strategic cooperation agreements, VNVC is expected to soon bring to Vietnam many other important vaccines that are expected by tens of millions of people such as shingles vaccine, dengue fever vaccine, RSV vaccine... Currently, VNVC has many incentive programs for customers to pre-order vaccines, support interest-free installment payments for vaccine packages. Customers can contact VNVC centers directly or through the fanpage, website, VNVC hotline for consulting support.

Nhat Linh

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