Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Vietnam to Import DTP Vaccine for Infant Program"

Asia Pulse (www.asiapulse.com) (04/26/02)

By early May, all Vietnamese localities lacking the DTP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, will receive enough doses to immunize all children under the age of one year, says National Extensive Vaccination program director Do Si Hien.  A shortage was caused when 1 million doses of donated vaccine and 360,000 locally produced doses were found ineffective due to improper storage or passed expiration dates. UNICEF is working to supply 1 million DTP doses in the near future, and a large batch of the vaccine will be available from the Nha Trang Pasteur Institute by June.

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.