The Ministry of Health has announced new regulations to ensure vaccines' quality and avoid risks of complications following the death of four babies.

Pre-vaccination screening is required for children

Three newborn babies died at the General Hospital in Huong Hoa District in Quang Tri Province after being vaccinated for hepatitis B. On July 21, another newborn baby at General Hospital in Tuy Phong District, Binh Thuan Province, also died after being administered the same vaccine.

The cause of death is still being investigated, however, several errors in procedure have been discovered, including improper vaccine storage and administration. People who failed to follow correct procedures have been suspended.

In response, the Ministry of Health urged city and provincial authorities to direct the local vaccination centres to strictly follow the vaccination regulations. In addition, they are not allowed to vaccinate more than 50 children per day.

Pre-vaccination screening will also be required in order to find out which children should not be vaccinated.

The centres must also be fully prepared in case a child develops complications after being vaccinated. The centres' operation will be suspended while an investigation ensues and related individuals will be strictly dealt with if they have let serious complications occur.

Local authorities have been asked to improve their equipment and to inform parents about the pros and cons of vaccines before they are administered.

From November 2012 through March 2013, over ten children have experienced serious allergies to vaccine Five-In-One Quinvaxem, seven of whom have died. After that, local authorities nationwide were asked to inspect their vaccination programmes but only 30 localities have reported to the Ministry of Health so far.