Efforts to control the measles outbreak in September.

Ho Chi Minh City is continuing to accelerate the measles vaccination campaign in order to control the outbreak as soon as possible in September.

The total number of injections given during week 37 of the campaign (September 9-15, 30,770 injections were administered) increased 1.8 times compared to week 36 (September 2-8, 16,887 injections were administered).

In total, as of September 17th, 31,075 children aged 1-5 years in the city had received one dose of measles vaccine during the campaign, reaching a rate of 62.3% of the children who needed vaccination (49,847 children).

Ho Chi Minh City is continuing to accelerate the measles vaccination campaign in order to control the outbreak as soon as possible in September.

Following the directives of the Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee at the meeting of the Steering Committee for Measles Prevention and Control on September 11, 2024, the measles vaccination campaign has been intensified throughout the city.

During week 37, the entire city deployed 308 vaccination points, including 232 points at preschools and primary schools. On average, about 4,400 doses of measles vaccine were administered daily to eligible individuals in the vaccination campaign; the highest numbers were on September 12th with 5,149 doses, September 13th with 8,193 doses, September 14th with 6,882 doses, September 15th with 2,932 doses; September 16th: 6,963 doses, and September 17th: 13,075 doses; while in the preceding days, only approximately 2,400 doses were administered each day.

As of September 17, 2024, Ho Chi Minh City's measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign had administered a total of 76,993 doses. Of these, 31,075 doses were given to children aged 1-5 years (62.3% coverage), 39,745 doses to children aged 6-10 years (22.3% coverage), and 6,173 doses to other groups (high-risk children, healthcare workers). Binh Chanh District, District 10, and District 8 showed high vaccination progress.

As can be seen, within just a few days of deploying additional vaccination points in schools, the number of children vaccinated has increased rapidly.

Organizing vaccinations at schools has made it convenient for parents to bring their children for vaccinations, and has therefore received a positive response from parents.

To expedite the vaccination process, starting September 16th, in addition to continuing to deploy vaccination points at schools as planned, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has directed the expansion of vaccination points at private vaccination facilities (VNVC,FPT Long Chau, Chan Van) on all days of the week to increase people's access to the measles vaccination campaign.

After two days of implementation (September 16th and 17th, 2024), private vaccination centers contributed 491 doses to the campaign.

The city's health sector continues to accelerate the vaccination campaign to essentially complete coverage for over 95% of the susceptible population by September in order to control the epidemic.

Specifically, during the week of September 16-22, 2024, the Department of Health deployed 506 vaccination points (260 points at Health Stations, 15 points at Health Centers, 268 points at schools, and 58 points at private vaccination facilities).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in Vietnam, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the disruption of vaccine supply under the 2023 Expanded Immunization Program have affected the vaccination rate of children nationwide.

Many children have not been vaccinated according to schedule or have not received all the necessary doses of vaccines in recent years, which is a risk factor for disease outbreaks, including measles.

To strengthen disease prevention and control efforts and minimize the risk of measles outbreaks in the coming period, the Ministry of Health requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities to direct relevant units to strengthen surveillance and early detection of measles cases in the community and in medical examination and treatment facilities; and to implement thorough measures to handle outbreaks immediately upon detection of cases.

Continue to implement regular monthly vaccination programs for beneficiaries of the Expanded Immunization Program, including measles vaccination for 9-month-old children and measles-rubella vaccination for 18-month-old children;

Review and organize catch-up and supplementary vaccinations for individuals in the Expanded Immunization Program who have not yet received the measles vaccine, paying particular attention to areas with low vaccination rates.

Strengthen public awareness campaigns about the risks of measles and preventive measures, and encourage people to have their children fully vaccinated according to the schedule of vaccines in the Expanded Immunization Program to proactively prevent vaccine-preventable infectious diseases.

Health experts consider measles a global threat because the measles virus, belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family, spreads rapidly through the respiratory tract from sick people to healthy people in the community or even across borders.

Measles is dangerous because it not only causes acute symptoms but also puts patients at risk of nervous system infections, musculoskeletal disorders, multi-organ damage, and can leave many severe and long-lasting complications, even lifelong ones, such as encephalitis, meningitis, otitis media, pneumonia, diarrhea, corneal ulcers, and blindness.

In addition, measles is particularly dangerous because it can erase immune memory, destroying an average of about 40 types of antibodies that fight off pathogens.

In children, a 2019 study by geneticist Stephen Elledge at Harvard University showed that measles eliminates between 11% and 73% of protective antibodies in children.

In other words, when a person contracts measles, their immune system is destroyed and resets to its initial, immature, and underdeveloped state, like that of a newborn baby.

To minimize risks and prevent the resurgence of measles, the WHO emphasizes 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 do not share personal items with sick people. Maintain hygiene in your living space and supplement your diet with foods that boost the immune system.

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.

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