The HCM City Department of Health is seeking the Ministry of Health’s approval to supply measles and DPT vaccines (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), for its expanded immunisation programme.
According to the department, by August 25, the city’s expanded programme had used up 6,000 doses of DPT vaccines with an expiry date of September 5, 2022, granted by HCM City Pasteur Institute.
On August 31, the HCM City Pasteur Institute reported that it had run out of measles and DPT vaccines.
Le Hong Nga, deputy director of the HCM City Centre for Disease Control, said the HCM City Pasteur Institute often sends a document on the periodical measles and DPT vaccine distribution to the city every month, but this has been suspended since May this year. Meanwhile, the city needed an additional 6,000 doses of each kind monthly.
The HCM City Pasteur Institute said that decision on the vaccine distribution for the expanded immunisation programme in localities, including HCM City, depended on the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Ministry of Health.
A representative from the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology admitted the shortage of measles and DPT vaccines. The two vaccines are locally made and slow vaccine distribution and supply have faced some difficulties, including those related to administrative procedures.
The spokesperson added that the institute had reported the problem to the Ministry of Health for solutions.
HCM City runs out of two vaccines in expanded immunisation programme
The HCM City Department of Health is seeking the Ministry of Health’s approval to supply measles and DPT vaccines (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), for its expanded immunisation programme.
Source: dtinews.vn
