Vietnam successfully researches new-generation Japanese encephalitis vaccine

The Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine (VAPM) on October 23, organized the 2026 Preventive Medicine Scientific Conference on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of its founding (1961-2026).

According to Professor Dr. Phan Trong Lan, VAPM Chairman, over the past 65 years, the association has continuously grown in terms of organization, membership, scientific activities, training, research, and international cooperation. Notably, its scientific conferences have become an important forum for scientists, research institutes, universities, and the preventive medicine system to exchange evidence, share experiences, and propose practical solutions.

“Preventive work following mergers, including vaccination and non-communicable disease management, is among the prioritized contents. Accessing new disease prevention technologies, biological products, new-technology vaccines, and preventive testing are also areas of interest,” Lan noted.

Under the theme "For public health in the new era," the conference aimed at specific requirements: how scientific advancements and new policies can genuinely help people better prevent diseases, detect risks earlier, and access appropriate services right within the community.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen acknowledged the contributions of the association and leading institutes of hygiene and epidemiology in disease prevention and outbreak control.  It is worth noting that the Expanded Programme on Immunization has contributed to protecting tens of millions of people over many decades.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that preventive medicine is key and grassroots healthcare is the foundation in protecting public health. He requested the effective use of community health examination data for early detection, risk assessment, and disease pattern evaluation, thereby proactively deploying appropriate solutions.

At the conference, scientific reports presented the research results of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine on Vero cells in Vietnam, alongside approaches to new-generation vaccine manufacturing technology.

The second-generation Japanese encephalitis vaccine was researched and manufactured by the Company for Vaccines and Biologicals No. 1 under the Ministry of Health. The vaccine has been evaluated for safety and immunogenicity in humans, with the optimal dose determined in healthy children aged 9 to 24 months.

Research results show that the vaccine is well tolerated and induces a high immune response. The research unit is finalizing the dossier for circulation registration.

Japanese encephalitis is an acute disease with a high mortality rate, causing severe damage to the central nervous system and potentially leaving motor sequelae. It is commonly found in children under 15 years of age. Vietnam has produced Japanese encephalitis vaccines since 1992 and introduced them into the Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1997.

According to reports at the conference, in recent years, numerous vaccines have been used in Vietnam to prevent cervical cancer, dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, influenza, pneumococcal disease, and meningococcal disease. Alongside this, domestic scientists are approaching new vaccine manufacturing technologies.

Health Ministry urges vaccinations against encephalitis

The Ministry of Health is urging all parents to get their children properly vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis in time, stressing that the vaccine is being supplied free in all districts across the country.