On 25/9, leaders of the School of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, announced a new program. They consider this a significant step, making vaccine prevention an essential component of modern medical training and clinical practice in Vietnam.

The program encompasses 10 specialties and training units. Through an interdisciplinary approach, future doctors will gain integrated vaccine and preventive knowledge for patient care. This focuses particularly on adults, the elderly, and those with underlying medical conditions.

This initiative also receives support from the British Embassy, leading universities in the United Kingdom, and the biopharmaceutical company GSK.

Associate Professor, Doctor Phung Nguyen The Nguyen, Dean of the School of Medicine, stated that previous training primarily focused on diagnosis and treatment. However, with the pressure of population aging and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, shifting towards proactive prevention, especially for vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, has become urgent.

"We aim to create a solid foundation for doctors to be confident in their knowledge of vaccines, pathology, adverse event management, and to provide the best advice to the community. When vaccination rates increase, the health of individuals and the community will be better protected," Associate Professor Nguyen emphasized.

According to him, the program was conceived and developed over a long period. This involved needs assessments and consensus from major medical and pharmaceutical universities such as Ha Noi, Hue, and Can Tho. Initially, the largest group of participants will be Specialty I residents in fields directly related to vaccination counseling.

In parallel, the university is developing e-learning modules and providing training for its faculty. The long-term goal is to establish a common standard for learning materials and integrate this content into undergraduate training programs in the coming years.

Adult vaccination is considered a crucial pillar in global healthy aging strategies. Photo illustration: Ngoc Thanh.

Commenting on this model, Professor, Knight Jonathan Nguyen Van Tam, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England and Honorary Professor at the School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK, remarked that adult vaccination is a crucial pillar in global healthy aging strategies. Vietnam's standardization of vaccine training for healthcare workers is a significant step, helping the healthcare system adapt to the new demographic structure.

Meanwhile, Ms. Pham Thi My Lien, Chairwoman of GSK Vietnam, believes that enhancing the capacity of medical professionals is key to building a sustainable healthcare system. This will promote a prevention-centered health care trend and aim for lifelong immunization for the public.

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