Rotavirus vaccine will be included in the expanded immunization program.

In 2024, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology will introduce the Rotavirus vaccine to prevent diarrhea caused by Rotavirus into the expanded immunization program for children. The Department of Health of Lao Cai province has registered, and it is expected that approximately 12,000 children in the province will receive this vaccine free of charge.

The rotavirus vaccine, which prevents acute diarrhea, is currently available at private vaccination clinics and health centers in districts, towns, and cities. This vaccine is quite expensive, so not all families can afford it.

According to information gathered from vaccination centers in Lao Cai city, there are currently three types of Rotavirus vaccine available: Rotarix from Belgium, priced at over 800,000 VND; Rotavirus from Vietnam, priced at nearly 500,000 VND (both require 2 doses); and Rotavirus Teq from the US, priced at nearly 700,000 VND (requires 3 doses). There is high demand for this vaccine among parents in the city.

Ms. Nguyen Minh Lan, residing in Pom Han ward, Lao Cai city, whose child is 3 months old, shared: "I gave my child the Rota vaccine so that he/she would have antibodies to protect against the disease. My child is still young and has weak immunity; if he/she were to unfortunately contract this virus, he/she would be very tired due to high fever and dehydration."

Rotavirus vaccine is now available at vaccination clinics.

However, the Rota vaccine is still quite unfamiliar to parents in mountainous areas. Ms. Vang Thi Hoa, Head of the Health Station in Tung Chung Pho commune, Muong Khuong district, said: "The lives of people in mountainous areas are still very difficult, so most depend on the free vaccines provided in the expanded immunization program and do not have access to paid vaccines. The addition of the Rota vaccine to the expanded immunization program in the near future is especially important in the care and prevention of diseases for children in mountainous areas."

People are very excited about the news that an 11th vaccine will be added to the expanded immunization program. Ms. Sung Thi Do from A Lu commune, Bat Xat district, shared: "Previously, people didn't understand and were afraid that vaccinating their children would make them sick, but now everyone is proactive. Every time the health officials remind us of the vaccination schedule, we bring our children to the commune health station to get vaccinated for free. I am very happy that there will soon be another free vaccine so that poor children in remote areas can also use it."

Children under 6 months old receive the Rotavirus vaccine to prevent the disease.

Rotavirus is one of the leading causes of acute diarrhea in young children. Surveillance results in Vietnam from 2016 to 2021 showed that rotavirus was the cause of acute diarrhea in 33.1% of children under 5 years old.

Two types of vaccines are expected to be included in the expanded immunization program.

Dr. Mai Dai Thanh, Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, stated: The number of children accessing the Rota vaccine has been limited recently due to its high cost. Currently, three types of Rota vaccines have been licensed for circulation in Vietnam: the imported Rotarix (Belgium), RotaTeq (USA), and the domestically produced Rotavin, manufactured by the Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Medical Biological Products. Based on information from the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, in 2024, both the Belgian and Vietnamese vaccines will be included in the expanded immunization program. These vaccines are for children under 6 months old, with a schedule of two doses administered at least one month apart.

The changing of seasons is a time when children are more susceptible to infectious diseases, including diarrhea.

The Infectious Diseases Department of Lao Cai Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital regularly treats children with acute diarrhea, including those under 1 year old. Dr. Hoang Tung, Head of the Infectious Diseases Department, affirmed that using the Rotavirus vaccine is one of the effective measures to prevent the risk of Rotavirus infection. In addition, to prevent and control the disease, parents need to ensure good personal hygiene for their children by washing hands before eating and after using the toilet, and ensuring food safety. Especially when children show signs of acute diarrhea, they should be taken immediately to a medical facility for timely treatment.

Rotavirus is primarily transmitted through the digestive tract, via contact with hands or objects contaminated with the virus. Rotavirus can also be transmitted through the respiratory tract. Children under 5 years old are at high risk of infection. Once the rotavirus enters the body, there is an incubation period of 2-3 days before symptoms appear.

The illness begins suddenly with vomiting for 1-3 days, followed by diarrhea and fever. Diarrhea causes dehydration, affecting the child's health. Death can occur if not treated promptly.

In addition to the Rota vaccine, according to Resolution No. 104/NQ-CP on the roadmap to increase the number of vaccines in the Expanded Immunization Program for the period 2021-2030, three more vaccines will be provided free of charge to the public: the pneumococcal vaccine from 2025, the cervical cancer vaccine from 2026, and the seasonal influenza vaccine from 2030.

Expanded immunization is a program with profound humanitarian significance aimed at protecting children's health, reducing the incidence, sequelae, and mortality rates in children from many dangerous infectious diseases. Every year, thousands of children in the province receive free vaccinations; parents should ensure their children receive all vaccinations on schedule.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/vac-xin-rota-se-duoc-cung-ung-trong-chuong-trinh-tiem-chung-mo-rong-post384150.html