Free rota vaccine for children

Rota vaccine to prevent acute diarrhoea caused by Rotavirus is provided free of charge in the Expanded Immunisation Program of the Ministry of Health, not only protecting children from dangerous acute diarrhoea but also reducing the financial burden on parents, especially those in mountainous and disadvantaged areas.

Before Rota vaccine was added to the Expanded Immunisation Program and provided free of charge to children, the cost of Rota vaccine service on the market ranged from VND400,000 to VND800,000/dose depending on the country of manufacture, making it difficult for many families to access this service.

In Thai Nguyen, a province with about 110 communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, many families do not have access to vaccines, the implementation of free Rota vaccines has brought positive impacts. 

According to Dr. Hoang Anh, Director of the Thai Nguyen Centre for Disease Control (CDC Thai Nguyen), since the fourth quarter of 2024, Thai Nguyen has been one of the first provinces to deploy the free Rota vaccine program. To date, more than 2,400 children in the province have had access to this vaccine, of which more than 1,200 have completed 2 doses.

Mrs. Duong Thi Huu (31 years old, residing in Khe Mo Commune, Dong Hy District) shared her joy as she took her 2-month-old baby to get the Rota vaccine: “I’m so fortunate that the vaccine is free, as it allows me to protect my child’s health without worrying about financial issues.”

Mrs. Tran Thi Dung (36 years old), another mother, with a child in the age group for the Rota vaccine: “My child is almost 5 months old. Thanks to the free vaccination program, my family could save a significant amount of money. In the past, when my second child received vaccination at private healthcare facilities, I was very concerned about the costs”.

The Rotavirus diarrhoea vaccine has been included in the Expanded Immunisation Program and began its implementation in 32 disadvantaged and mountainous provinces at the end of 2024. The Rota vaccine deployment is currently being expanded to an additional nine provinces (bringing the total to 41 provinces) in 2025 and will be expanded to the remaining provinces in 2026.

The inclusion of the Rota vaccine in the free Expanded Immunisation Program presents a significant opportunity to help children with severe diarrhoea caused by the Rotavirus. This initiative aims to reduce illness and protect children’s development during their early stages of life. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take their children to the nearest healthcare facility to receive more detailed information about the Rota vaccination.