A nasal-spray flu vaccine for children has launched at nearly 300 VNVC centres as respiratory infections rise and families seek an alternative to injections.
At nearly 300 VNVC vaccination centres across Vietnam, parents brought children in on the morning the clinic launched its nasal-spray flu vaccine, drawn by the promise of a needle-free option for children who fear injections. The rollout marks a new choice for seasonal influenza prevention and has been welcomed by families who said the format makes vaccination feel less stressful for both children and caregivers.
The launch comes as flu and other respiratory illnesses are rising in several parts of the country. The Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Disease Control reported 34,664 acute respiratory cases in one week in mid-October, more than 64% above the average of the previous four weeks, and nearly 77% of flu-positive samples were influenza A/H1N1. Doctors warned that seasonal influenza can still cause severe complications, including pneumonia, respiratory failure, encephalitis, myocarditis, sepsis and death, even in otherwise healthy children.
Bạch Thị Chính, VNVC’s medical director, said the spray vaccine is a live attenuated influenza vaccine and protects against three strains: A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/Victoria. She said children aged two to under nine who have never had a flu vaccine need two doses at least four weeks apart, while those with a vaccination history may need one dose depending on their records. Children aged nine to under 18 receive one dose, and the vaccine must be repeated every year because influenza viruses change continuously.
AstraZeneca has said the same needle-free flu vaccine has been used in 34 countries and territories, with more than 200 million doses distributed globally. In the United States, the company said FLUMIST Quadrivalent has FDA approval for people aged 2 through 49, and US public health guidance continues to recommend annual influenza vaccination as the main way to prevent flu. AstraZeneca has also said the US regulator accepted a review of its application for possible self-administration, which would broaden access if approved. VNVC and other specialists stressed that, even without a needle, the vaccine still needs to be given or supervised by trained medical staff under proper screening and safety procedures.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
