Implementing a vaccination campaign with more than 1 million doses of measles vaccine

Health news update August 28th: ​​Campaign launched to administer over 1 million doses of measles vaccine.

The Ministry of Health has recently sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and cities regarding the implementation of measles vaccination.

Accelerate the measles vaccination campaign.

The Ministry of Health has just issued Decision No. 2495/QD-BYT on the Plan for implementing the measles vaccination campaign in 2024.

The Ministry of Health is urging provinces to accelerate measles vaccination.

To proactively implement measles prevention and control measures in a timely and effective manner, and to minimize the risk of disease spread and outbreaks, the Ministry of Health requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities to pay attention to and direct relevant units to organize and implement the following contents.

Specifically, for provinces and cities within the scope of implementation according to the Ministry of Health's Plan in Decision No. 2495/QD-BYT dated August 22, 2024, it is necessary to urgently prepare and organize the measles vaccination campaign in 2024 in their areas according to the Plan.

Based on the local measles situation, vaccination rates, testing and treatment capacity, and available resources for epidemic prevention and control, provinces and cities will continue to coordinate with the Institutes of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Pasteur Institute to conduct risk assessments, identify risk areas at the district/county and commune/ward levels, review target groups, propose additional areas and target groups for measles vaccination campaigns if necessary, and report to the Ministry of Health (Department of Preventive Medicine).

At the same time, closely monitor the measles outbreak situation, proactively strengthen surveillance, early detection, and thorough handling of outbreaks to prevent them from spreading in the community.

According to the head of the Department of Preventive Medicine, the measles vaccination campaign differs from the catch-up or supplementary vaccination plans that have been implemented in that the target group for vaccination has been expanded.

Specifically, previously vaccinations were only given to children aged 9 months and 18 months. However, in this expanded campaign, the target group for vaccination includes children aged 1 to 10 years, excluding those who have already received both doses of the vaccine.

The Ministry of Health has assessed the risk of an outbreak using the toolkit provided by the WHO and identified 18 provinces and cities with approximately 100 districts located in high-risk areas. The Ministry of Health will conduct free measles-rubella vaccination for these individuals. Vaccination is expected to begin in September 2024.

Ho Chi Minh City declares measles outbreak.

According to Decision No. 3547, signed and issued on the afternoon of August 27th, Ho Chi Minh City has declared a measles outbreak as an infectious disease epidemic. The outbreak is scheduled to occur in August 2024. The location and scale of the outbreak cover the entire city.

Measles is caused by the measles virus (Polynosa morbillorum). The disease spreads through the respiratory tract from person to person.

The disease prevention and control measures must be implemented in accordance with the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, including: Strengthening the Steering Committee for Disease Prevention and Control at the city, district, and Thu Duc City levels; and at the ward, commune, and town levels.

Individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having the disease must provide complete and accurate information to health authorities within 24 hours of diagnosis in order to receive management and testing as required.

Implement a supplementary measles-rubella vaccination campaign for all children aged 1-5 years living in the city, regardless of their previous vaccination history; the age range may be expanded depending on the epidemic situation and in accordance with regulations.

The decision to declare a measles outbreak also assigns the Director of the Department of Health to preside over the coordination with the Steering Committee for epidemic prevention and control in districts, counties, and Thu Duc City to implement epidemic prevention and control measures in their respective areas; the decision to declare a measles outbreak is effective from August 27th.

Rehabilitation reduces the risk of death from illness by 30%.

Early and effective rehabilitation for ICU patients (those with critical, life-threatening conditions) can reduce the risk of death, complications, and hospital stay by 30%.

According to Dr. Tran Van Dan, President of the Vietnam Physical Therapy Association and Chief Technician of the Rehabilitation Department at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi , patients admitted to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) are usually in critical condition or at risk of worsening, such as multiple organ failure, stroke, myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, severe pneumonia, lung collapse, severe gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic coma, acute pancreatitis, acute renal failure, and diabetic coma.

Injuries, drowning, electric shock, septic shock, poisoning, etc., also fall under this category. Early rehabilitation in the ICU should be considered when the patient regains consciousness, has passed the critical stage, and may still be bedridden. This helps patients reduce pain, recover faster, reduce treatment time, and achieve longer-lasting, sustainable treatment outcomes, reducing the risk of re-treatment.

At the same time, it reduces complications such as lung collapse, muscle atrophy, pressure ulcers, and serious respiratory and cardiovascular complications. Professor Dale Needham, Director of the Intensive Care and Rehabilitation Program at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, USA, said that patients in the ICU often need the support of a ventilator, which affects respiratory function and limits movement.

Prolonged periods of time can affect many bodily functions. On average, each week spent in the ICU results in a 4-5% loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, a 13-16% reduction in organ function, and multiple organ failure. Approximately 50% of patients who spend 12 months in the ICU find it difficult to return to normal work.

ICU rehabilitation requires a combination of respiratory, motor, and other functional training, encompassing areas such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and assistive technology.

For example, with communication and swallowing rehabilitation in ICU tracheostomy patients, Dr. Charissa of the University of Melbourne (Australia) stated that speech therapy in the ICU helps redirect the patient's airflow through the upper airway.

This promotes the resensitization of the laryngeal region in patients; improves vocal cord function and the ability to protect the airway and swallow; improves how patients handle secretions, such as speaking and coughing; and supports weaning from the feeding tube and oral feeding.

Furthermore, speech therapy in the ICU addresses communication issues, helping patients express their identity autonomy, articulate their needs, and participate with healthcare professionals in treatment decision-making.

Doctors have also pointed out the benefits of using high-flow non-motorized oxygen (HFNC) machines in treating ICU patients. In the ICU, the longer a patient is on a ventilator, the higher the risk of death.

Using a HFNC machine helps improve respiratory distress in patients, improving blood oxygenation, achieving 100% inhaled oxygen concentration and 100% inhaled humidity, improving ciliary and airway epithelial function, and increasing mucus clearance… As a result, many risks are reduced.

Experts affirm that early rehabilitation in the ICU is crucial, but patient safety always comes first.

Patients should be assessed for their response to exercise with a multidisciplinary consultation. If they respond to exercise and continue exercising, they should be monitored and the intensity of the exercise adjusted daily.

Patients can begin with simple to advanced exercises. Depending on their level, they can practice basic movements in bed, arm exercises, stick exercises, resistance leg exercises, or even play games to improve coordination. Exercise programs using specialized equipment and machines will be implemented in collaboration with ICU specialists and rehabilitation and physical therapy professionals.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/tin-moi-y-te-ngay-288-trien-khai-chien-dich-tiem-chung-hon-1-trieu-lieu-vac-xin-soi-d223494.html