VNVC Launches New Generation U.S.-Made Meningococcal Vaccine – A First in Vietnam

On July 4, 2025, the VNVC Vaccination Center System officially introduced and began administering MenACYW (Sanofi, France), a new-generation meningococcal vaccine manufactured in the US. This vaccine protects against Neisseria meningitidis, a bacterium that causes severe diseases such as meningitis and septicemia. Meningococcal infections can rapidly progress to fulminant sepsis, which can be fatal within hours for both children and adults.

This marks the first time in Vietnam that adults aged 56 and older are eligible for meningococcal vaccination - providing expanded protection to one of the groups most at risk. The vaccine is now available nationwide at nearly 230 VNVC centers.

After more than 50 years of research, Sanofi has achieved a breakthrough in conjugate vaccine technology to develop this advanced meningococcal vaccine. It provides immunity against four major disease-causing serogroups (A, C, Y, and W-135), the primary culprits behind meningitis and septicemia, which cause over 135,000 global deaths annually.

Statistics show that without prompt diagnosis and treatment, meningococcal disease has a 50% fatality rate. Among survivors, 10-20% face severe complications such as hearing loss, blindness, limb amputation, or neurological disorders. Infants face a staggering 50% risk of long-term disabilities.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, nearly 90% of pediatric and adolescent deaths from invasive meningococcal disease occur within 24 hours of diagnosis.

In Vietnam, the first half of 2025 alone recorded dozens of cases, including two fatalities. In June 2025, the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City warned of a potential meningococcal outbreak in southern regions.

Meningococcal disease often begins with subtle symptoms like fever, headache, or sore throat - easily mistaken for common illnesses - leading to delayed treatment and missed critical intervention windows. Data from Children’s Hospital 1 (HCMC) reveals that most patients arrive over 19 hours after symptom onset, severely limiting medical efficacy. Many survivors suffer lifelong disabilities, such as amputations, with profound long-term consequences.

The bacterium colonizes the nasopharynx and spreads via respiratory droplets. Vietnam’s Ministry of Health estimates that 5-25% of the population are asymptomatic carriers, complicating outbreak control. Crowded settings like schools, dormitories, military barracks, and industrial zones pose particularly high transmission risks.

Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of VNVC, emphasized: “Amid rising global economic, social, and travel interactions that facilitate pathogen spread, innovative vaccines like Sanofi’s next-generation meningococcal formula represent a milestone in medical technology. Its expanded protection, enhanced safety, and suitability for all ages significantly advance public health.”

New Generation MenACYW Meningococcal Vaccine Enhances Immune Protection with Breakthrough Technology.

The new generation MenACYW meningococcal vaccine uses breakthrough technology by employing a conjugate protein derived from a modern molecularly linked tetanus toxoid (TT). This design stimulates a strong and long-lasting immune response while reducing the rate of asymptomatic carriers, thereby helping to break the chain of transmission within the community. Unlike previous meningococcal vaccines limited to individuals up to 55 years old, MenACYW is approved for children from 12 months of age and adults with no upper age limit, with plans to extend use to children as young as 6 weeks in the near future.

At the launch event, Dr. Kuharaj Mahenthiran, Medical Director of Sanofi Vaccines Vietnam, stated: “Meningococcal disease is a terrifying condition that can turn a healthy person critically ill within hours. Even with timely treatment, 10-15% of patients may still die. Young children, adolescents, and the elderly are the most vulnerable groups.”

He also emphasized: “The new generation MenACYW vaccine has been approved in over 70 countries and administered in nearly 40 countries since 2021. With its broad age indication and solid research foundation, this vaccine will play a key role and represent a major advancement in protecting the Vietnamese population from meningococcal disease.”

According to Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, meningococcal vaccines do not provide cross-immunity, so it is recommended that people receive a combination of vaccines to cover all five major meningococcal serogroups. Depending on vaccination history, epidemiological situation, age, and individual needs, doctors will recommend the appropriate vaccine type and schedule to achieve optimal protection.

Thus, by introducing the MenACYW new generation vaccine along with meningococcal vaccines for groups B, BC, and ACYW, the VNVC Vaccination Center System becomes the first provider in Vietnam to offer a full range of meningococcal vaccines. This comprehensive coverage protects against the five common serogroups A, B, C, Y, and W-135, aiming to safeguard all age groups - from children to the elderly.

“Continuously updating with high-quality, safe, and globally leading new generation vaccines confirms VNVC’s commitment to bringing advanced medical solutions to the Vietnamese people on par with international standards. This is a practical step towards the WHO’s 2030 goal of reducing meningitis deaths by 70% and cases by 50%,” Dr. Chinh emphasized.

The VNVC Vaccination System is a leading provider of Vietnam’s private vaccination services, operating nearly 230 modern centers nationwide as of July 4, 2025. VNVC offers a comprehensive range of vaccines for children and adults at affordable costs, with high-quality service and professional safety protocols, enhancing public health and transforming Vietnam’s vaccination landscape.

VNVC recently began construction of the VNVC Vaccine and Biological Products Factory in Tay Ninh, a project valued at approximately 2,000 billion Vietnamese dong that employs advanced global technology. This initiative aims to ensure vaccine supply autonomy, reduce import dependency, and position Vietnamese vaccines for global export.

For its outstanding contributions, VNVC received a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister for exceptional epidemic prevention and control. It has also been recognized for consecutive years as a leading pharmaceutical company in Vietnam, earning accolades such as Top 10 Famous Brands, Vietnam’s No. 1 Brand for Consumer Products and Services, Top 10 Green and Sustainable Enterprises 2024, Best Workplace in Asia-Pacific 2024, and inclusion among 13 honored groups in the 2025 “Vietnam Glory” program.

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