The first batch of Sputnik V vaccine produced by Vietnamese pharmaceutical company VABIOTECH. — Photo chinhphu.vn

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam is set to master the production technology of 10 types of vaccines used for humans and be capable of producing at least three by 2025, according to a national sci-tech programme on human vaccine production research by 2030, recently approved by Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam.

With the targets to rise to 15 and at least five, respectively by 2030, the programme’s objectives are to study and master the technology of vaccine production for human use; and to boost the capacity of domestic vaccine research and production organisations and enterprises, making them ready to deal with newly arising epidemics.

To realise such goals, the programme set tasks to complete the legal framework and mechanisms, encourage research and international cooperation, the application of advanced technologies, and the establishment of capable research teams, among other works.

Human resources development and investment in upgrading related research equipment are also listed among support activities under the programme.

Organisations and firms participating in vaccine research and technology transfer will be subject to preferential policies like those applied to prioritised high-tech products.

Meanwhile, regarding vaccines for epidemics prevention and control, costs of research, testing, pilot production, assessment, buying insurance, and assisting volunteers are 100 per cent subsidised.

Việt Nam already produced 11 of 12 vaccines in the expanded vaccination programme, eliminating many dangerous diseases such as polio and neonatal tetanus.

The country has successfully manufactured its first batch of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine from semi-finished products. The vaccine will be used in the country's National Expanded Programme for Immunisation, in response to the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections and amid a limited supply of vaccines.

The country has started clinical trials of the ARCT-154 vaccine, the third homemade vaccine against COVID-19.

The first COVID-19 vaccine tested on humans is Nanocovax, a product of Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC based on recombinant DNA/protein technology. The vaccine has gone through three phases of clinical trials with more than 13,620 volunteers. Results from the first two trial phases showed that all volunteers developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

The second vaccine, Covivac, from the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC),  entered phase three in September 2021. — VNS