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April 12, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Health: Vietnam Short of DPT Vaccine"

Vietnam News Briefs (04/12/02)

In Vietnam, as many as 6 million doses of the diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) vaccine may not be used due to poor quality.  This has created a shortage for the national vaccination program, which provides the shots to young children free of charge.  The program received 1 million doses of DPT from UNICEF and 4 million to 5 million doses from the Nha Trang Institute; however, the doses reportedly did not all meet quality standards.  Program officials are imploring the Ministry of Health to import 1 million doses of DPT to make up for the shortfall, and UNICEF and the Nha Trang Vaccine Institute have pledged a total of 3 million doses by June.  Parents of children in Ho Chi Minh City, which is considered a "hot spot" for diphtheria, have felt concerned enough to take their children to private doctors for the vaccinations, paying about $6 per shot.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.