Binh Thuan speeds up measles vaccination progress

Efforts of the health sector

This is an effort by the health sector of Binh Thuan province in the context of the complicated situation of infectious diseases with the number of measles, whooping cough, and flu cases nationwide. In the first 4 months of 2025, Binh Thuan recorded more than 1,600 suspected measles cases. In March 2025 alone, the province recorded 320 suspected measles cases, a decrease of 13.7% compared to February and no positive cases.

Many people are waiting to get vaccinated against measles.

Currently, the age of measles infection has begun to change by age group after the end of the vaccination campaign. The rate of measles infection has decreased in children under 10 years old but increased in children over 10 years old. In the third phase, the health sector focused on vaccinating children aged 11-15, with nearly 50,000 subjects.

In this third phase, the province was provided with 7,300 doses of measles vaccine distributed to district-level health centers. Previously, from March 17 to 31, the province vaccinated measles at 341 points at commune, ward, town health stations and schools. After two vaccination phases, 10,330 children aged 1-5 were vaccinated, reaching 96.5% and 8,362 children aged 6-10 were vaccinated, reaching 96.7%.

The incidence of the disease decreased in children under 10 years old but increased in children over 10 years old.

According to the Center for Disease Control of Binh Thuan province, in addition to vaccination sites at state medical centers, there are many private vaccination sites in the province. Specifically, Phan Thiet city has Binh Thuan vaccination, VNVC vaccination...; La Gi town has FPT Long Chau vaccination, VNVC vaccination... FPT Long Chau vaccination is currently implementing a free measles vaccination program for children under 15 years old who have never been vaccinated against measles or have not received enough doses as prescribed.

In particular, since the Ministry of Health allowed the implementation of measles vaccination to prevent epidemics from 6 months of age in high-risk localities, vaccination centers have also recorded many parents vaccinating their children to prevent the disease in time. In addition, many women preparing to become pregnant also learn about many types of measles vaccines combined with other types.

Vaccination is the best measure.

According to the VNVC Phan Thiet Vaccination Center, measles has no specific treatment and can cause many dangerous complications. The most common complication of measles is pneumonia, which occurs after the rash or at the same time as the rash, and can lead to respiratory failure and sepsis. Symptoms include high fever, difficulty breathing, severe cough, chest pain, and high white blood cell counts. The pathogen also weakens the child's immune system. In young children with chronic underlying diseases, it is easy to lead to the risk of severe pneumonia complications, making treatment difficult. In pregnant women, measles can cause miscarriage, premature birth, or malnutrition in children.

Many people registered to wait for measles vaccination.

Doctor Le Tran Thang, VNVC Phan Thiet Vaccination Center, said that measles is the most contagious disease, easily spread through droplets when a sick person talks, coughs, or sneezes. A person with measles can infect 12-18 people. The disease is also transmitted indirectly when a healthy person touches objects contaminated with the measles virus and then puts his or her hands on his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Most people who are not immune, such as those who have never been vaccinated against measles or have never had the disease, can get measles if they come into contact with the source of infection. Vaccination is a 98% effective and most economical way to prevent measles. There are currently many types of measles vaccines, including measles vaccine; combined measles-rubella vaccine; combined measles-mumps-rubella vaccine... Adults who do not remember their vaccination history need to get at least 2 doses of measles vaccine at least 1 month apart.

Parents take their children to get vaccinated against measles.

Mr. Vo Van Hanh, Director of the Center for Disease Control of Binh Thuan province, said that currently, the investigation and screening of subjects is still slow because it is necessary to compare children's vaccination history; most of the elderly have lost their vaccination books. In addition, children have not fully updated their vaccinations on the National Immunization Information software and the software system still lacks information.

According to the Center for Disease Control of Binh Thuan province, in addition to proactively getting vaccinated against measles, people need to pay attention to disease prevention measures such as wearing masks, washing hands regularly, keeping warm, eating nutritious food and avoiding crowded places. Schools must be kept clean, airy and well-lit; toys, learning tools and classrooms must be regularly disinfected with common disinfectants.

In addition, the provincial Department of Education and Training continues to direct educational institutions to closely coordinate with the health sector to participate in making a list of vaccination subjects, implementing vaccination at schools; and propagating the benefits of measles vaccination to teachers to mobilize parents to agree to have their children vaccinated. In addition to implementing the vaccination plan, the People's Committee at the district level needs to manage vaccination subjects closely following the actual situation in the area, not missing subjects, especially in areas at risk of outbreaks and low vaccination rates.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/binh-thuan-day-nhanh-tien-do-tiem-vac-xin-phong-chong-soi-post878738.html