Why is it important to get vaccinated on schedule and with the full dose?

Many parents forget their children's vaccination schedule or skip subsequent doses after the first dose. Dr. Hoang Thi Phuong Dung, MD, Specialist in Pediatrics at Pediatrics 315 (part of the 315 Healthcare System), affirms: Whether vaccination is mandatory or voluntary, the most important thing is to vaccinate on schedule and with the correct dosage. Delaying vaccination will create "gaps" in children's immunity, allowing bacteria and viruses to attack as soon as they encounter a favorable environment.

After a long period of campaigning, raising awareness, and strengthening guidance to help people better understand vaccination campaigns, everyone is now more conscious of disease prevention.

Pediatric Clinic 315 and Pediatric Vaccination Center 315 have just opened a new location at 603 To Ngoc Van Street, Tam Binh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

Taking it a step further, the goal of Lifelong Immunization is a health protection strategy that establishes a vaccination schedule suitable for all ages, from newborns, young children, adolescents, adults, pregnant women, and the elderly. Currently, the 315 Pediatric Healthcare System and 315 Immunization are proud to offer a diverse range of vaccines, providing comprehensive health protection for children, families, and the community.

Required vaccinations (0-5 years old)

In Vietnam's Expanded Immunization Program, the following vaccinations are considered "mandatory" to protect children from the most dangerous infectious diseases:

Stage	Vaccines/Disease Prevention
Newborn	BCG Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine dose 0 within 24 hours
2 months	Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, HiB (5-in-1) first dose + Polio first dose – Rotavirus first dose
3 months	Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, HiB (5-in-1) second dose + Polio (second dose) – Rotavirus (second dose)
4 months	Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, HiB (5-in-1) 3rd dose + Polio 3rd dose
5 months	Polio vaccine, first dose
9 months old	The vaccine contains the measles component. polio vaccine, second dose
12 months old	Japanese encephalitis first dose Japanese encephalitis vaccine (second dose) (at least 2 weeks after the first dose)
18 months old	Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DPT) 4th Dose The vaccine contains the measles-rubella component.
24 months old	Japanese encephalitis vaccine, third dose (at least 12 months after the first dose)
7 years old	The combination vaccine contains a reduced-dose tetanus-diphtheria component.

Besides mandatory vaccinations, what vaccines can infants and children up to 5 years old receive on a voluntary basis?

The Ministry of Health has just licensed the distribution of a vaccine against hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by the EV71 virus, indicated for children from 2 months to under 6 years old. This is the first time Vietnam has had a hand, foot, and mouth disease vaccine. The hand, foot, and mouth disease vaccine will soon be available at the 315 Children's Health System and 315 Vaccination Center to help protect the health of Vietnamese children.

The following are important voluntary vaccines for children aged 0-5 years:

- From 2-6 months: 6-in-1, pneumococcal, meningococcal group B, ACYW ₁₃₅

- From 6-12 months: Seasonal flu, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (prevention of 3 diseases at once), New generation Japanese encephalitis, Meningococcal group BC vaccine.

- From 12 months: Chickenpox, Hepatitis A

- Over 2 years old: Typhoid fever, cholera

- From 4 years old: Dengue fever, booster dose of Measles - Mumps - Rubella, 4-in-1.

According to Dr. Hoang Thi Phuong Dung, receiving additional voluntary vaccinations is not just about "extra injections," but also brings the following practical benefits:

• Filling the immunity gap : The current Expanded Immunization Program (EIP) focuses on diseases with a high risk of outbreaks. However, diseases such as pneumococcal pneumonia are leading causes of hospitalization in children under 5 years old. Vaccinations help protect children from these pathogens.

• Reduced number of injections and side effects : Combination vaccines, such as the 6-in-1, measles-mumps-rubella, etc., combine multiple diseases in one injection; or the pneumococcal 20-strain vaccine, quadrivalent influenza vaccine, etc., combine multiple strains of the same bacteria or virus in one injection.

• Advanced vaccine technology : Many voluntary vaccines, such as the new generation ACYW ₁₃₅ meningococcal meningitis vaccine, are capable of providing earlier, more sustained immunity and have no age limit for vaccination.

• Protecting children in group environments : When children start preschool, the risk of cross-infection with diseases such as influenza, chickenpox, etc., is very high. Full vaccination helps children better protect themselves from diseases.

Dr. Hoang Thi Phuong Dung, MD, Specialist Level 1 – Pediatrics 315 (part of the 315 Healthcare System)

Dr. Hoang Thi Phuong Dung, MD, Specialist in Pediatrics at Hospital 315 (part of the 315 Healthcare System), emphasized: Whether vaccination is mandatory or voluntary, the most important thing is to vaccinate on schedule and with the correct dosage. Delaying vaccination will create "gaps" in children's immunity, allowing bacteria and viruses to attack as soon as they encounter a favorable environment. More concerningly, delaying vaccination during an epidemic is what puts children at risk, as they will then be completely unprotected against the viruses circulating in the community.

315 Healthcare System:

Hotline: 0901.315.315

- Ivy Health International Multidisciplinary Clinic https://www.ivyhealthvn.com/

- 315 Obstetrics and Gynecology Healthcare System https://www.phusan315.com/

- Children's Healthcare System 315 https://www.nhidong315.com/

- Pediatric Vaccination System 315 https://www.tiemchungnhi315.com/

- 315 Eye Healthcare System https://www.mat315.com/

- Cardiovascular and Diabetes Healthcare System 315 https://www.timmachtieuduong315.com/

- Pediatric Psychiatry – Pediatric Psychology 315 https://www.tamlynhi315.com/

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/vi-sao-phai-tiem-vaccine-dung-lich-va-du-lieu-post851114.html