Strengthening Vaccine Quality: The Role of Scientific Inspection and New Technology
National Conference in Ninh Binh Discusses Innovation in Preventive Medicine
As the global community continually manages public health threats, ranging from novel diseases to the resurgence of older infections, the field of vaccine development and manufacturing is undergoing a period of intense technological transformation.
In Vietnam, the National Institute of Control of Vaccines and Biologicals (NICVB) serves as the country’s national focal point responsible for inspecting, evaluating, and monitoring the quality of all vaccines. The Institute’s core function is to ensure that every vaccine product released for public use meets stringent standards for safety, efficacy, and stability, thereby reinforcing public confidence in immunization programs.
To facilitate the sharing of international technological advances and affirm Vietnam’s position in the global health network, NICVB hosted a scientific forum in Ninh Binh on December 11, 2025. The event brought together medical experts, researchers, corporate representatives, and regulatory bodies to exchange views on the development trends of next-generation vaccine platforms and solutions for sustained product quality assurance.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that traditional production methods were often too slow to adequately respond to global health crises. The introduction of mRNA vaccines marked a significant breakthrough, enabling scientists to rapidly develop an effective vaccine shortly after the viral genome was sequenced. This success has spurred the expansion of mRNA technology research into other diseases, including influenza, RSV, cancer immunotherapies, and malaria. Concurrently, other advanced platforms such as recombinant proteins, viral vectors, new-generation adjuvants, and streamlined manufacturing processes are contributing to leaner, better quality-controlled, and more cost-effective production.
The conference served as a key national-level academic platform. Participants included experts from central research institutions (such as the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology), domestic manufacturers (IVAC, POLYVAC, VABIOTECH), major international pharmaceutical companies (MSD, Sanofi-Aventis, AstraZeneca, GSK, Pfizer), and representatives from local health authorities.
Five main specialization areas were presented and discussed:
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The epidemiological burden of infectious diseases in Vietnam (e.g., pneumococcus, Flu virus, Dengue fever) and strategies for generating immunity through vaccination.
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The global and domestic shift in transitioning quality control testing from in vivo to in vitro methodologies.
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The identification of immunological gaps within the community before the onset of disease outbreaks.
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The critical role of adjuvants in vaccine formulations and advanced immunization technologies for adults, especially the elderly population.
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An overview of mRNA technology in the field of cancer prevention vaccines, including both its potential and the inherent challenges.
On behalf of NICVB leadership, the Institute affirmed its commitment to continued cooperation and partnership with both domestic and foreign vaccine manufacturers. The objective is to continuously improve inspection procedures to keep pace with ongoing technological advancements, facilitate the product registration process, and ultimately enable Vietnamese citizens to gain better access to effective and proactive preventive health measures.
