Executives of VNVC and Substipharm Biologics at the MoU signing ceremony. (Photo: VNVC)
During the signing ceremony, both parties agreed to work together for public health, aiming to enhance scientific research collaboration, clinical studies, professional training for healthcare staff, and community awareness about disease prevention, especially HFMD in children.
Hervé Profit, CFO at Substipharm Biologics, emphasized that the partnership with VNVC marks a significant step in expanding opportunities to bring high-quality vaccines to Vietnam, in an attempt to address the increasing demand for safety and quality. He expressed hope that the HFMD vaccine would soon be available in Vietnam to protect children, reduce severe complications, and ease the burden of the disease on families and society.
Ngo Chi Dung, CEO of VNVC, praised the collaboration as a crucial milestone in the joint effort to introduce a much-needed vaccine to Vietnam. He highlighted the urgency of preventing this dangerous disease, which has caused high mortality rates among children for years.
According to Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, medical director of VNVC, the HFMD vaccine is recommended for children aged 2 months to under 6 years. It has been proven safe and provides up to 97% protection, offering long-term immunity against HFMD caused by the EV71 strain. The vaccine is currently awaiting approval from the Ministry of Health for distribution.
Clinical trials for the vaccine began in Taiwan (China) in 2010, with Phase 3 trials conducted in Vietnam since 2019. If approved, this would be Vietnam’s first HFMD vaccine, significantly improving disease prevention efforts.
HFMD occurs year-round, and peaks between March-April and September-December. The most recent outbreak in 2023 saw over 180,000 cases, 2.7 times higher than in 2022, with 31 fatalities. In 2024, more than 76,000 cases were reported nationwide.
Currently, there is no specific treatment for HFMD, only supportive care to help children through severe stages. The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City has identified HFMD as a major public health challenge in Vietnam.
The disease has three severity levels. Mild cases (Level 1) can be managed at home, while Levels 2-4 require hospitalization. Levels 2b, 3, and 4 may involve complications, necessitating close monitoring to prevent fatal outcomes.
