Hanoi proposes measles vaccination for children from 6 to under 9 months old

From the beginning of 2024 to the present, Hanoi has recorded 335 cases of measles in 30 districts, including 98 cases under 9 months old (accounting for 29.3%).

Hanoi proposes vaccinating children aged 6 to under 9 months against measles.

From the beginning of 2024 to the present, Hanoi has recorded 335 cases of measles in 30 districts, including 98 cases under 9 months old (accounting for 29.3%).

The Hanoi Department of Health has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health requesting approval for measles vaccination of children aged 6 to under 9 months in the city using vaccines supplied by the Ministry of Health.

In early December 2024, the Hanoi Department of Health conducted a measles risk assessment in the city using the World Health Organization (WHO) measles risk assessment toolkit.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iDoJiOjh-c[/embed]

The results show that the risk of a measles outbreak in the city is moderate. However, Hanoi has a high population density and significant population mobility. It also has central-level hospitals that receive many measles cases from provinces and cities across the country, therefore there is always a risk of a measles outbreak.

Meanwhile, according to the regulations in the expanded immunization program, the measles vaccine is administered to children from 9 months of age. However, the age group under 9 months accounts for a high percentage in the city (second only to the age group from 1-5 years old).

According to a report by the Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC), from the beginning of 2024 to December 27th, the city recorded 335 cases of measles in 30 districts, towns, and communes, while no cases were recorded during the same period last year.

Patients were distributed by age group, including 98 cases under 9 months old (29.3%); 57 cases from 9 to 11 months (17%); 115 cases from 1 to 5 years old (33.7%); 28 cases from 6 to 10 years old (8.4%); and 39 cases over 10 years old (11.6%).

Hanoi has organized measles vaccination as part of the expanded immunization program for children from 9 months old, with the vaccination rate for the first dose containing the measles component being 98.5%, and for the second dose being 95.6%.

Furthermore, from October to November 2024, Hanoi implemented a measles vaccination campaign for children aged 1-5 who had not received both doses of the measles-containing vaccine. As a result, 55,640 out of 61,590 children in the target age group were vaccinated (reaching 96.3%).

According to the WHO, the monovalent measles vaccine can be administered to children aged 6 months to under 9 months during outbreaks as a booster measure against the disease.

This vaccine dose is considered the "measles 0" dose, and the child will then continue to receive two more measles vaccine doses according to the expanded immunization program schedule at 9 months and 18 months of age.

It is understood that the WHO has sent a document to the Ministry of Health agreeing to provide an additional 260,000 doses of measles vaccine for children aged 6 to under 9 months. The Ministry of Health is currently processing the confirmation of the aid source to allocate it to the provinces that have submitted requests, thereby ensuring timely vaccination for these young children.

To control the disease, the Hanoi CDC recommends that people, especially families with young children, adhere to the measles vaccination schedule.

Children should receive their first vaccine dose at 9 months of age, a second booster dose at 15-18 months, and a third dose when they are 4-6 years old. For children at high risk or living in areas with outbreaks, earlier vaccination at 6 months of age may be considered.

Health experts emphasize that vaccination not only helps protect children's health but also helps prevent the spread of disease in the community.

Dr. Nguyen Tuan Hai from the Safpo/Potec Vaccination System stated that vaccination is the only way to protect children and adults from this potentially dangerous disease. Countries worldwide are required to achieve and maintain a coverage rate of over 95% with two doses of the measles vaccine.

Children and adults should proactively get vaccinated against measles fully and on schedule to help the body produce specific antibodies against the measles virus, helping to prevent the risk of contracting measles and severe complications, with an outstanding effectiveness of up to 98%.

In addition, everyone should proactively clean their eyes, nose, and throat with antiseptic solution daily, limit gatherings in crowded places, avoid close contact with people showing symptoms of measles or suspected of having the disease, and not share personal items with sick people. Maintaining a clean living space and supplementing with foods that boost the immune system are also important.

If you experience symptoms of measles (fever, runny nose, dry cough, red eyes, sensitivity to light, rash all over the body), you should quickly go to the nearest medical center or facility for examination and timely treatment.

From the beginning of 2024 to the present, Hanoi has recorded 335 cases of measles in 30 districts, including 98 cases under 9 months old (accounting for 29.3%).

Comment (0)