The move marks the first step in a long-term partnership to comprehensively develop a supply chain that will bring vaccines from research labs and manufacturing sites to hospitals and vaccination centres in Vietnam, protecting people from infectious diseases at every stage of life.

The signing ceremony took place with representatives from the Belgian Embassy, strategic partners from Vietnam Vaccine JSC, and GSK's senior leaders in attendance.

The two companies aim to make a positive impact on every member of Vietnamese families, from children to adults, to prevent and protect against vaccine preventable infectious diseases and reduce the pressure on the healthcare system, especially as the population ages and disease patterns change.

Speaking at the ceremony, Luis Arosemena, senior vice president for emerging markets at GSK said, “Vietnam is one of GSK's six top-priority markets out of a total of more than 100 emerging countries. We are pleased to see the development of the nation's health sector, and with the support of the local biopharmaceutical sector, we will continue to unite science, technology, and talent to bring innovative healthcare solutions to anyone who needs them.”

Ngo Chi Dung, president of EPLUS added, “Together with our strategic partners, EPLUS expects to bring in many new and essential vaccines, and apply the most advanced technology and logistics solutions to supply them to people quickly and safely.”

GSK has seen remarkable progress in disease prevention and, especially after the pandemic, people have a better understanding of the value of vaccines. The company continues to focus on young children, who are susceptible to life-threatening diseases such as invasive pneumococcal disease or meningococcal meningitis caused by serotype B that are fatal to one in two children if left untreated.

The number of people over the age of 50 is projected to increase from 23 million in 2022 to 35 million in 2035, with an accompanying rise in early deaths due to chronic diseases. Around the world, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, as well as other medical organisations in Europe and beyond, have recommended vaccines against influenza, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, pneumococcal disease, and shingles for the elderly, those with underlying diseases, and other high-risk groups.

To achieve the goal of immunisations for every member of a Vietnamese family throughout the course of their lives, the two sides will make a concerted effort to develop a sustainable and continuous supply of vaccines.

Jean-Pierre Muller, Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of Belgium in Ho Chi Minh City said, “We support new initiatives and cooperation towards the common goal of better healthcare for everyone. Belgium is one of the world's largest vaccine research and manufacturing centres, and we are proud that Vietnamese people will have access to innovative vaccines from our country.”

“Vaccination is one of mankind's greatest achievements, the positive effects of life-course immunisation on communities have already been demonstrated in many countries around the world,” he added.