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What is the Most Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Available in Vietnam?

The Ministry of Health has approved three COVID-19 vaccines for use in Vietnam. As someone who is about to get vaccinated, you may be curious about the differences between these vaccines. Join us as we explore and uncover the unique characteristics of each COVID-19 vaccine available in Vietnam, empowering you to make an informed decision.

Administrator

11 August, 2024

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and impact our lives, major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Danang have initiated vaccination drives for their residents. These cities are utilizing three types of vaccines approved for emergency use by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health. To learn more about these vaccines, read on.

1. AstraZeneca Vaccine (UK)

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is a product of a collaboration between the University of Oxford and the renowned pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca. This vaccine employs a viral vector technology, a novel, versatile, and highly efficient approach. It utilizes a weakened version of the adenovirus (a common cold virus in chimpanzees) that contains the genetic material for the spike protein found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus.

Once administered, the vaccine stimulates the body to produce a large number of antigens. These antigens trigger an immune response, prompting the body to generate antibodies and immune cells, known as T cells, which can target and eliminate cells carrying the disease. The immune cells also signal the production of more immune cells to bolster the body’s defense against the virus.

The UK’s Public Health England, part of the Department of Health and Social Care, has demonstrated that the AstraZeneca vaccine is 89% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, reducing the rate of severe illness, complications, and death.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is a collaboration between the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca

2. Sputnik V Vaccine (Russia)

The Sputnik V vaccine is a product of the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Ministry of Defense. This vaccine is also based on the adenovirus vector technology, one of the most widely used vectors in genetic engineering.

Currently, pharmaceutical companies worldwide are focusing on adenovirus vector technology to develop various COVID-19 vaccines to combat the pandemic.

According to clinical trial results published in The Lancet, the Sputnik V vaccine is 91.6% effective in preventing the spread and development of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, making it one of the three COVID-19 vaccines globally with an efficacy rate above 90%.

Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Center and the Russian Ministry of Defense

3. Sinopharm Vaccine (China)

The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine was developed by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products, a subsidiary of Sinopharm, using inactivated virus technology. The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged the Sinopharm vaccine’s protective efficacy to be 78.2%. It is also the first inactivated vaccine to be included in the WHO’s emergency use listing.

On June 3, 2021, the Sinopharm vaccine received emergency use approval from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, becoming the third vaccine to be approved for use in Vietnam, after AstraZeneca and Sputnik V.

Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Chinese pharmaceutical company, Sinopharm

How effective are these COVID-19 vaccines in Vietnam?

If we solely consider the efficacy rates mentioned earlier, you might assume that the vaccines’ effectiveness ranks as follows: Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, and then Sinopharm.

However, these percentages only indicate the outcomes of specific vaccine trials and do not necessarily reflect real-world results. Many experts argue that these numbers are not the best indicators of a COVID-19 vaccine’s performance.

The primary goal of COVID-19 vaccination is to provide your body with sufficient protection against the virus and to enable it to overcome the infection. All three vaccines approved by the Ministry of Health excel at achieving this objective.

Each injection and outstretched arm brings us closer to ending this pandemic.

This article has provided an overview of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available in Vietnam. We hope it has offered valuable insights into these vaccines and their role in our fight against the pandemic.

Frequently asked questions

As of now, the most effective COVID-19 vaccine available in Vietnam is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, offering around 95% protection against the virus. This vaccine is widely used in many countries and has proven to be highly effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalization.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is an mRNA vaccine, which means it contains a small fragment of genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This material teaches your cells to produce a harmless piece of the virus called the ‘spike protein’. Your immune system then responds by producing antibodies and activating other immune cells, creating a defensive memory against the actual virus.

In clinical trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine showed an efficacy rate of around 95%, which means it reduced the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 disease by 95% in those who were vaccinated. It is also highly effective in preventing severe disease and hospitalization.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine typically requires two doses, given 21 days apart, to provide full protection. However, a single dose has been shown to provide substantial protection, and the interval between doses can be extended in certain circumstances.

Like any vaccine, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can cause mild to moderate side effects, such as pain or swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, and fever. These side effects are normal and usually go away within a few days. Serious side effects are rare but may include severe allergic reactions.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is authorized for use in individuals aged 12 years and older. While it is generally safe, pregnant women and individuals with certain medical conditions should consult their healthcare provider before receiving the vaccine. The vaccine should not be given to those with a history of severe allergic reactions to any ingredient in the vaccine.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is currently available at select vaccination sites in Vietnam, including hospitals, health centers, and mobile vaccination clinics. You can check with your local health authorities or healthcare provider for specific locations and availability.