Expanding the measles vaccination campaign in many provinces and cities

In 2024, Vietnam recorded 7,583 measles-positive cases and 16 deaths related to the disease.

Expanding the measles vaccination campaign in many provinces and cities

In 2024, Vietnam recorded 7,583 measles-positive cases and 16 deaths related to the disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the risk of a measles outbreak in Vietnam as very high and recommended that provinces and cities at high and very high risk, as well as places with current measles clusters, should launch vaccination campaigns.

According to statistics, in 2024, Vietnam recorded 7,583 positive cases of measles, including 16 deaths related to the disease.

Measles vaccine is up to 98% effective in preventing measles, helping children's bodies produce antibodies, preventing measles and serious complications.

Measles is on the rise in many countries around the world, especially in the Asia- Pacific region. Some countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia have recorded widespread measles outbreaks.

The World Health Organization (WHO) assesses the risk of a measles outbreak in Vietnam as very high. WHO recommends that provinces and cities at high and very high risk, as well as localities with measles clusters, must immediately launch a vaccination campaign.

According to the Ministry of Health, the measles vaccination campaign is being expanded and implemented in many localities. The campaign and catch-up vaccination for children in high-risk provinces and cities will be urgently carried out to prevent the measles epidemic from spreading further.

In 2024, the country recorded 45,554 suspected cases of measles, including 7,583 positive cases, and 16 deaths. In particular, children under 9 months of age had a high incidence rate, accounting for about 25% of the total number of positive cases.

WHO recommends the age of measles vaccination in countries with measles outbreaks is to give the first dose when the child is 9 months old and the second dose when the child is 15-18 months old. In countries that have eliminated measles, give the first dose when the child is 12 months old and the second dose when the child is 15-18 months old.

In addition, WHO also recommends a booster dose of measles vaccine for children aged 6 to under 9 months in high-risk areas. This booster dose will help protect children when measles outbreaks are on the rise.

Based on the current risk assessment and epidemic situation, the Ministry of Health has planned to expand the measles vaccination campaign for children aged 1-10 years in high-risk localities in 2025. At the same time, a supplementary vaccination campaign will also be implemented for children aged 6-9 months.

According to this plan, vaccination will be carried out in 24 provinces and cities to increase community immunity and prevent epidemics. Localities with complicated epidemic situations need to immediately deploy vaccination to minimize the risk of measles outbreaks.

Health experts stress that vaccination is the only way to protect children from measles and its dangerous complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. Vaccination of children from 9 months of age and older against measles is very important to maintain community immunity, helping to prevent outbreaks.

Dr. Nguyen Tuan Hai, Safpo/Potec Vaccination System, said that measles vaccine is up to 98% effective in preventing the disease, helping children's bodies produce antibodies, preventing measles and serious complications.

Doctors also recommend that people not only get fully vaccinated but also take other preventive measures such as daily eye, nose, and throat hygiene, avoid contact with people suspected of having the disease, and not share personal items.

In addition to vaccination, families need to proactively take other preventive measures to limit the spread of measles. Maintaining personal hygiene, avoiding crowded places, and limiting contact with people showing symptoms of the disease are very important.

At the same time, supplementing nutrition and strengthening the child's immune system also helps the child's body have better resistance to virus attacks.

If symptoms such as fever, runny nose, dry cough, red eyes, sensitivity to light and rash appear, people should take their children immediately to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/mo-rong-quy-mo-chien-dich-tiem-vac-xin-phong-soi-tai-nhieu-tinh-thanh-d244362.html