VNVC launches Meningococcal Vaccine for children as young as 6 weeks

Aligning with Vietnam’s National Strategy for Disease Prevention and Public Healthcare, on the morning of August 15, 2025,  VNVC marked a new step forward by administering, for the first time, a meningococcal vaccine to children from 6 weeks of age and adults. The vaccine employs advanced conjugate technology, and protects against four serogroups (A, C, W, Y), generating long-lasting antibodies, sustaining long-term immunological memory, and reducing asymptomatic carriage, thereby helping to build robust community immunity.

The MenACWY-TT vaccine, developed by Pfizer (USA) - a leading global pharmaceutical company with over 130 years of experience - is manufactured at a modern facility in Belgium. It is the world’s first quadrivalent vaccine approved for use in children from 6 weeks of age and has been safely administered in more than 80 countries, with over 32 million doses distributed.

Vietnam is among the few Southeast Asian countries prioritized to receive this important vaccine. By pioneering the use of the MenACWY-TT vaccine, VNVC Vaccination Center System not only opens the opportunity for Vietnamese children to be protected early from the first weeks of life like those in developed countries but also affirms its commitment to rapid integration with global medical advancements and alignment with international trends in infectious disease prevention.

Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of VNVC Vaccination Center System, stated: “Children under 12 months old are at the highest risk of contracting meningococcal disease. This disease progresses very rapidly and can be fatal within hours of the first symptoms appearing. Even with timely treatment, children may face lifelong complications. Having an additional meningococcal vaccine to protect children from 6 weeks of age helps fill the immunity gap as maternal antibodies wane. It also protects children at the critical time when they begin interacting with the community, reducing transmission risk and strengthening community immunity”.

Dr. Chinh explained that the MenACWY-TT vaccine is produced using advanced conjugate technology, combining a protein derived from the tetanus toxoid (TT) to “train” the immune system to recognize and eliminate meningococcal bacteria. As a result, the vaccine not only induces a strong antibody response and long-lasting immune memory but is also highly effective in young children. Additionally, it helps reduce the number of asymptomatic carriers, creating a broader protective effect within the community.

In Vietnam, meningococcal disease is classified among the six most dangerous infectious diseases, with the highest mortality rates. The two most common forms are meningitis and septicemia, or a combination of both. Without timely treatment, up to 50% of patients may die. In severe cases of fulminant septicemia, death can occur within 6-8 hours. Among survivors, 10-20% face severe long-term complications, including limb amputation, skin scarring, hearing loss, blindness, kidney or heart failure, seizures, epilepsy, or behavioral disorders. For children under 12 months, the risk of complications can reach 50%.

Beyond its health impacts, meningococcal disease places significant emotional and financial burdens on families and society. A UK study found that three months after hospital discharge, 38% of caregivers were at high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 43% of mothers faced risks of mental health disorders. In Vietnam, the cost of caring for a meningitis patient can account for 83% of a household’s monthly expenses. In the first six months of 2025, Vietnam reported dozens of cases and two deaths, raising concerns about a possible outbreak in southern Vietnam.

Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of VNVC, emphasized that meningococcal disease progresses rapidly, with symptoms developing within hours and being particularly hard to detect early, especially in children under 12 months. In the first eight hours of onset, symptoms are often vague-such as mild fever, irritability, refusal to feed, sore throat, or runny nose-easily mistaken for a cold, flu, or common respiratory infection. By the time distinctive signs like purpuric rash, neck stiffness, or light sensitivity appear, the disease is often advanced, complicating treatment and increasing mortality risk.

Dr. Chinh noted, “The epidemiology of meningococcal disease is unpredictable, with disease-causing serogroups varying by time, region, and age. The bacteria can silently reside in the nose or throat for days to months without symptoms. During outbreaks, the carrier rate among healthy individuals can surge from 10-20% to as high as 50%, making it a significant source of uncontrolled transmission.”

Dr. Chinh emphasized that meningococcal vaccines do not provide cross-immunity. Therefore, both children and adults should receive a combination of vaccines covering group B and groups A, C, Y, and W to ensure full protection against all five disease-causing serogroups. Depending on vaccination history, epidemiological situation, age, and individual needs, doctors will recommend the appropriate vaccine type and vaccination schedule to achieve optimal protection.

With the introduction of the MenACWY-TT vaccine, VNVC has become the first vaccination system in Vietnam to offer the complete set of five meningococcal vaccines, providing comprehensive protection against serogroups A, B, C, Y, and W-135 for all age groups-from infants and adolescents to adults and the elderly. Since 2025, VNVC has continued to bring many new-generation vaccines into Vietnam, such as the ACYW meningococcal vaccine for children from 12 months, and the 15-valent and 20-valent pneumococcal vaccines, reaffirming its pioneering role in rapidly bringing advanced medical achievements to the people.

This progress contributes to realizing the roadmap for developing a modern preventive healthcare system that integrates internationally, elevates medical service quality to the level of advanced countries worldwide, and meets the growing and diverse healthcare needs of the population according to the government’s direction.

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