Vaccines

Some of the world's leading makers of flu vaccines say they could make hundreds of millions of bird flu shots for humans within months if a new strain of avian influenza ever jumps across the species divide. One current outbreak of avian flu known as H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has killed record numbers of birds and infected mammals. Human cases, however, remain very rare, and global health officials have said the risk of transmission between humans is still low. Executives at three vaccine manufacturers – GSK Plc, Moderna Inc, and CSL Seqirus, owned by CSL Ltd - told Reuters they are already developing or about to test sample human vaccines that better match the circulating subtype, as a precautionary measure against a future pandemic. Others, like Sanofi, said they "stand ready" to begin production if needed, with existing H5N1 vaccine strains in stock. There has also been a push among companies to develop a bird flu vaccine for poultry, a market potentially far larger than that for … [Read more...] about Vaccine makers prep bird flu shot for humans ‘just in case’; rich nations lock in supplies

China has approved its first locally developed messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine against Covid-19, its manufacturer said Wednesday, months after the relaxation of strict Covid-zero regulations sparked a surge in cases. The vaccine, developed by CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd, has been approved for "emergency use" by Beijing's health regulator, the company said in a statement. It showed high efficacy in a trial in which it was used as a booster shot for people who have been given other types of vaccines, the company added, without offering further details. mRNA vaccines are considered among the most effective in reducing severe infections and deaths. While traditional vaccines use a weakened or inactivated germ to prepare the body for a future attack from the real virus, mRNA deploys snippets of genetic material that carry instructions showing the body's cells how to produce a protein -- in this case, the spike protein on the coronavirus that causes Covid. The body's immune system … [Read more...] about China approves first domestic mRNA vaccine for Covid-19

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai (R) receives Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always treasures and wants to promote its traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Poland, one of its prioritised partners in Central Eastern Europe, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Duc Hai said while receiving Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau in Hanoi on March 17. Welcoming the Polish official’s visit, Hai affirmed that the Vietnamese NA always supports the comprehensive cooperation between the two governments. The two sides shared delight at the growing partnership between the two countries, with many delegations exchanged, including high-level ones. As the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted delegation exchanges between the two countries in recent years, the two sides should promptly resume the exchange of delegations, especially at high level ones, to further beef up … [Read more...] about Vietnam wants to beef up comprehensive ties with Poland: NA Vice Chairman

WHO representative in Vietnam Dr Angela Pratt. (Photo: Ministry of Health) Hanoi (VNA) – World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Vietnam Dr Angela Pratt has said that Vietnam is in the sustainable management phase of the COVID-19 pandemic as the situation continues to stabilise with a very low number of reported daily cases, and importantly no reported deaths in over two months. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency , the official said that now in the fourth year of the pandemic, Vietnam and the world are in a much better place than they were even 12 months ago. “The tools and vaccines we have are proven to protect lives and significantly reduce risk of severe illness and death and also, in most places, to enable health systems to function more normally again,” she said. She added it is hoped that 2023 will be the year in which COVID-19 can be said to be over as a public health emergency of international concern. Assessing Vietnam's response to … [Read more...] about Vietnam in sustainable management phase of COVID-19 pandemic: WHO representative

Quang expressed his delight at the strong and practical development of the bilateral strategic partnership in various areas. In particular, two-way trade hit 16.1 billion USD in 2022, more than 30 times higher than in 2021, making Australia the 10th largest trade partner of Vietnam and Vietnam the seventh biggest trade partner of Australia. According to the Deputy PM, Australia have invested in 579 projects worth nearly USD 2 billion in Vietnam, ranking 20th out of 141 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam has poured investment in 87 projects valued at USD 540 million in Australia. In United Nations peacekeeping operations, Australia helped Vietnam four times to transport level-2 field hospitals to South Sudan, offered English language training and equipment to the field hospitals. Australia provided Vietnam with 26.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, becoming the second largest vaccine donor of Vietnam. Goledzinowski, for his part, affirmed that … [Read more...] about Deputy PM asks for well organization of celebrations for Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau at their meeting in Hanoi on March 16. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always treasures and wants to strengthen its multifaceted cooperation with Poland, a traditional friend and partner in Central Eastern Europe, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said while receiving Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau in Hanoi on March 16. The PM thanked the Government and people of Poland for their donation of nearly 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 8 tonnes of medical equipment to help Vietnam overcome the pandemic and boost economic recovery, stressed that the move reflected sincere affection and deep attachment between the people of the two countries. For his part, Rau said he is impressed with Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and stated that Poland wants to fortify its collaboration with the nation, the most important partner of Poland in Southeast Asia. … [Read more...] about Vietnam wants to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Poland: PM

A year since Vietnam reopened after a global pandemic, the country has seen trade recovering strongly. The decision, according to economists and policymakers, was a necessity to unshackle trade and industries after a prolonged period of time in which hundreds of factories were forced to close down or reduce production capacity in compliance with strong social distancing rules. The reopening, which was made possible with a nationwide vaccination program, has allowed the supply chain to come back, giving a much-needed boost to industries and trade as well as to the country's export sector. Than Duc Viet, General Director of May 10, one of the country's largest textile companies, said strong social distancing measures during the pandemic significantly disrupted the company's operation and threatened its ability to maintain production at times. He said the worst part of it was not knowing when his factory's doors could be closed. "Our approach during the pandemic was to move as … [Read more...] about Trade recovers strongly since reopening

Poland wishes to foster multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, the most significant partner of Poland in Southeast Asia, visiting Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau has stressed in Hanoi. Minister Rau was speaking during his talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Thursday, as part of his two-day visit, starting a day earlier, to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son. Rau said he is impressed with Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and stated that Poland wants to expand its comprehensive cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation, especially in areas where Poland has strengths, such as smart city building, green technology, environmental protection, and information technology. He emphasized in the presence of PM Chinh that Poland regards Vietnam as its most vital partner in Southeast Asia. The guest and host exchanged views on a number of measures to beef up cooperation in education and training, … [Read more...] about Vietnam most important partner of Poland in SE Asia: FM Zbigniew Rau

The Prime Minister thanked the government and people of Poland for their donation of nearly 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 8 tons of medical equipment to help Vietnam overcome the pandemic and boost economic recovery, stressed that the move reflected sincere affection and deep attachment between the people of the two countries. For his part, Rau said he was impressed with Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and stated that Poland wants to fortify its collaboration with the nation, the most important partner of Poland in Southeast Asia. Regarding the Vietnam - Poland relationship, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his pleasure to see its positive progress over the past time and suggested the two sides increase the exchange of delegations, especially high-level ones and between sectors and localities, to boost political trust and mutual understanding, forming a basis for their bilateral cooperation expansion across all fields. Poland has been … [Read more...] about Vietnam wants to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Poland: Prime Minister

A man died from rabies following a bite by his pet dog in Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam earlier this week, while his eight close contacts have needed consultation for possible health problems, according to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA). The VNA quoted the Center for Disease Control of Phu Yen as saying on Thursday that L.X.D., 45, living in Tay Hoa District, was bitten on the finger by his pet dog, which was not vaccinated against rabies, at the beginning of last December. D. only used a type of antiseptic liquid to disinfect the bite, without going to a medical facility for rabies vaccination. The man showed symptoms of a fever and fatigue on March 9 and took over-the-counter drugs, but his bad health conditions did not improve. Two days later, his family took him to Phu Yen General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with rabies, but doctors could do nothing about his conditions and they discharged him on the same day. He then went into direct interaction with … [Read more...] about Man dies of rabies after pet dog bite in south-central Vietnam