Directive No. 25/2005/CT-TTg on vaccinating poultry against avian influenza

 DIRECTIVE

On vaccinating poultry against avian influenza 

Currently, the avian influenza epidemic across the country has temporarily subsided, with no new outbreaks occurring, but the disease-causing pathogens remain latent, and avian influenza A (H5N1) continues to appear in some localities, showing signs of complex development. Alongside the implementation of comprehensive biological and environmental hygiene measures (disinfection, sterilization) in preventing and controlling avian influenza, vaccinating poultry against avian influenza is one of the measures aimed at eliminating the disease-causing pathogens. To effectively implement the vaccination program against avian influenza, quickly eliminate the disease-causing pathogens, prevent the recurrence of the epidemic, and protect public health, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall develop programs and plans to widely disseminate information to the entire population so that everyone understands the urgency and effectiveness of vaccinating poultry against avian influenza, thereby creating consensus and support for its implementation; at the same time, poultry breeders must clearly recognize their responsibility in vaccinating poultry against avian influenza. Vaccination against avian influenza must be considered a critical and urgent task of the Party committees and administrative bodies at all levels and the responsibility of the entire population, mobilizing the entire political system, resources, and human power within the industry and locality to participate, truly becoming a nationwide campaign.

2. Poultry breeders (including original breeds, grandparent breeds, parent breeds, meat-producing poultry, egg-laying poultry belonging to various economic sectors in areas required to vaccinate compulsorily according to the regulations of veterinary authorities) have the responsibility to create conditions and cooperate with veterinary authorities to organize vaccination for poultry flocks.

3. State budget (central and local) shall ensure funding for the vaccination of state-owned breeding poultry, household and individual poultry flocks in areas required to vaccinate compulsorily, following the principle: the central budget will cover the cost of vaccines, while local budgets will cover the remaining costs; for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the local budget will cover all costs.

For poultry in domestic enterprises' breeding facilities, enterprises with foreign investment, and farms (according to the classification criteria of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the General Statistics Office), they have the responsibility to vaccinate their poultry flocks and must bear the full cost of vaccination (vaccines and other costs for vaccination); if compulsory vaccination is not carried out, compulsory culling of the flock will be applied.

Encouragement is given to breeding facilities, households, and individuals with poultry (both those required to vaccinate compulsorily and those not required) to organize and bear the cost of vaccinating poultry against avian influenza themselves, but this must be under the guidance and supervision of veterinary authorities.

4. The Ministry of Finance shall use the central government budget reserve for 2005 to fund the importation of vaccines according to the plan of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to balance and allocate state budget funds for vaccinating poultry against avian influenza in subsequent years according to the project approved by the Prime Minister. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall decide and take responsibility for selecting entities to purchase and import vaccines for vaccination purposes; it shall also be responsible for recovering funds from the sale of vaccines to poultry breeding facilities not supported by state budget funds.

5. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall be responsible for developing implementation plans, providing professional guidance on vaccination; determining suitable types of vaccines for vaccination; strictly guiding the purchase and importation of vaccines to ensure correct type, quality, and sufficient quantity according to the plan; mobilizing specialized equipment, professionals within and outside the industry (including universities and vocational schools) to support localities in participating in vaccination work, organizing professional training, and ensuring safety equipment for personnel involved in vaccination tasks.

6. The People's Committee of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall be primarily responsible and direct relevant departments to coordinate with local veterinary authorities to effectively implement, target the right groups, meet deadlines, and supervise the vaccination of poultry against avian influenza within their jurisdiction.

7. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall develop plans and measures to closely monitor the epidemiology during and after the vaccination process with avian influenza vaccines to ensure the safety of poultry flocks and public health.

8. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, mass media agencies shall cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Health to develop programs and plans to promote the vaccination campaign against avian influenza to achieve high results.

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of agencies under the Government, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities, and Heads of units and related organizations are responsible for implementing this Directive./.