Vietnam–Australia scientific workshop advances immunization strategies
Experts from Vietnam and Australia joined forces to share best practices and strategies for sustainable immunization programs.
The workshop gathered leading experts to discuss evidence-based strategies for improving immunization programs. It concluded with a strong commitment to enhance Vietnam–Australia collaboration in research, policy, and technical support.
The Scientific Workshop on Experiences in Implementing Immunization Activities, held on 28–29 October 2025, successfully brought together leading experts from Vietnam and Australia. Vietnamese participants included representatives from the Vietnam Administration of Disease Prevention, departments and agencies under the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam Advisory Council on Vaccine Use (NITAG), the National Children’s Hospital, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Pasteur Institutes in Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, the Tay Nguyen Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, as well as Health Departments and Centers for Disease Control from 18 provinces.
The program was honored to welcome experts from the University of Sydney and the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), Australia – long-standing partners with extensive experience in immunization and health policy advisory. The workshop was co-organized by the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute (SVI), which played a pivotal role in fostering dialogue and collaboration between Vietnamese institutions and Australian experts, reinforcing its mission to advance health research partnerships.
Discussions covered critical aspects of immunization activities, including the operation of the Advisory Council on Vaccine Use, the Electronic Immunization Registry (EIR) system, cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses of PCV and HPV vaccines, and the prevalence and serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Vietnam. The workshop emphasized the importance of Evidence to Recommendation (EtR), sharing Australia’s practical experiences in using national data to inform policy development. Other key topics included health economics, training for immunization staff, and strategies to improve vaccine access for vulnerable populations and remote areas.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen Vietnam–Australia cooperation in research, consultation, and technical support, contributing to the quality and sustainability of the Expanded Programme on Immunization.