Duke Kunshan University is part of an international research project supporting Vietnam’s plan to add new vaccines to its national immunization program.
The university’s Innovation Lab for Vaccine Delivery Research (VaxLab) works with Vietnam’s Health Strategy and Policy Institute (HSPI) and provides technical support, primarily responsible for the design, data collection, analysis and reporting for the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) cost-effectiveness analysis and budget impact analysis.
Professor Shenglan Tang, who heads VaxLab and co-directs the Global Health Research Center at Duke Kunshan University, said the work addresses a challenge many countries face as they plan how to sustain immunization programs over time.
“Vietnam is facing reduced international aid and needs effective and sustainable domestic financing mechanisms to support the introduction of new vaccines and the long-term operation of its immunization program,” Tang said. “VaxLab is pleased to work alongside HSPI to conduct research that helps Vietnamese policymakers craft evidence-based strategies tailored to Vietnam’s needs.”
Professor Huaxiong Huang’s team at the university’s Zu Chongzhi Center has also provided additional analytical support.
The research findings have provided evidence to support sustainable financing for introducing the new vaccines in Vietnam.
At a Jan. 28 workshop in Hanoi, HSPI shared findings on the costs, expected impact and practical steps needed to add the two vaccines to the national program. The vaccines are the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer, and PCV, which helps prevent pneumonia and other serious infections.
Nguyen Khanh Phuong, director of HSPI, said the team is refining reports and developing policy briefs for Vietnam’s Ministry of Health. Participants also discussed what it would take to fund and deliver the vaccines safely nationwide.
“As Vietnam navigates the transition away from international donor support, these rigorous studies on vaccine financing are essential for national sovereignty in public health,” Phuong said. “The evidence generated through our partnership provides the scientific foundation needed to secure domestic resources and make informed decisions, ensuring that every Vietnamese citizen can benefit from a robust and self-reliant immunization program.”
Under Vietnam’s plan to expand its immunization program, PCV was planned for inclusion in 2025 and HPV vaccination in 2026, though both timelines have faced delays because of cost and delivery hurdles.
Researchers estimated that nationwide PCV rollout in Vietnam from 2026 to 2030 could prevent about 1.2 million cases of illness and roughly 5,000 deaths, while saving tens of millions of U.S. dollars in treatment costs. Separate analyses suggested that introducing HPV vaccination early and reaching high coverage could reduce cervical cancer cases and deaths.
The research is led by HSPI with support from partners including Duke University and Duke Kunshan University, and funded by the Gates Foundation and other partners.
