Vietnam selected by WHO to transfer mRNA vaccine technology

New technology in the production of drugs and medical equipment

This afternoon, November 30, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan and Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat co-chaired a working session between the two ministries to strengthen coordination in science, technology management and innovation in the health sector.

The two Ministries of Health and Science and Technology affirmed that they will coordinate more effectively in carrying out scientific tasks.

At the meeting, the Minister of Health said that scientists in the field of health sciences and doctors have recently achieved many results in research and application of science in diagnosis, treatment, production of vaccines, drugs and medicinal herbs.

In diagnosis and treatment, we have basically absorbed, mastered and implemented results equivalent to those of advanced countries in the world in many specialties, recognized through major domestic awards, such as clusters of works winning the Ho Chi Minh Prize; research and production of domestic vaccines to ensure supply for the expanded immunization program with 11/12 types of vaccines.

Vietnam has received and mastered a number of research technologies to produce medicines that are essentially proteins and enzymes; discovered and applied biological indicators related to cancers and genetic diseases; and achieved a number of results in applying cell technology in the conservation and development of rare medicinal resources.

Regarding access to new technology, Professor - Dr. Nguyen Dang Hien, Director of the Center for Research and Production of Medical Biologicals (Polyvac), Ministry of Health, said that Vietnam is one of the countries selected by the World Health Organization (WHO) to transfer mRNA technology to produce vaccines. And Polyvac is the focal point for receiving this technology. Next week, a group of WHO experts will come to Vietnam, work at Polyvac to discuss related issues.

Vietnam is a developing country but has had a lot of experience in vaccine development over the past decades. Vietnam's National Vaccine Regulatory Authority (NRA) has also been recognized by the WHO.

mRNA technology is an advanced technology that allows for updating variants and mass production, so it is not only meaningful in preventing the Covid-19 pandemic but also helps proactively respond to other pandemics in the future.

Vietnam masters technology and approaches new technology in vaccine production. Domestically, 11/12 vaccines are guaranteed in expanded immunization.

"Vietnam is one of seven countries selected by WHO to conduct phase 3 clinical trials of tuberculosis vaccines. This is also an opportunity to promote Vietnam's advantages in clinical trials, and people will have the opportunity to access new vaccines when they are eligible for widespread vaccination," said the Director of the Central Lung Hospital.

Hope to have more international standard laboratories

At the meeting, scientists expressed their hope for investment in level 3 biosafety laboratories. Currently, 2/3 of these laboratories belong to two research units of the Ministry of Health, but recently, investment in maintenance and promotion of effectiveness has been limited. Vietnam does not have a level 4 biological laboratory, which is a disadvantage for scientists in implementing research that requires strict conditions, while there are many fields in healthcare that need to be implemented.

Receiving the comments, the Minister of Science and Technology highly appreciated scientific research in the medical field. The medical sector has many scientific and technological applications to help improve the quality of diagnosis, treatment and health care for people.

The health sector's mastery of vaccine technology contributes to ensuring vaccine security and disease prevention, especially during pandemics.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health will coordinate more closely and effectively in approving, implementing and applying scientific research in the medical field; propose and remove some obstacles in the procedures for approving scientific research topics, thereby helping scientists and doctors to be more motivated to participate in research and apply medical research achievements.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/viet-nam-duoc-who-lua-chon-chuyen-giao-cong-nghe-vac-xin-mrna-185231130210711926.htm