In recent years, the epidemic situation has become increasingly complicated, in addition to the annual infectious diseases, there have been new and dangerous epidemics. In 2023, the prolonged shortage of some vaccines such as 5-in-1 vaccine (DPT-VGB-HIB), DPT, measles, polio (OPV) ... led to the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. In early 2024, when the Lao Cai health sector received vaccines from the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, it was distributed to localities to implement the expanded immunization program, ensuring proactive disease prevention for children.

In Bao Thang district, there are currently 102 vaccination points, including 14 fixed points at health stations, 87 mobile vaccination points, 1 point for hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours after birth and tuberculosis vaccine at the district General Hospital. Bao Thang District Medical Center has identified vaccination as one of the key tasks and set specific goals, including the goal of 95% or more of children under 1 year old being fully vaccinated against 8 infectious diseases (tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, Hib meningitis, polio, measles).

Currently, Bao Thang District Medical Center has received more than 27,000 doses of vaccine from the Provincial Center for Disease Control. Vaccination activities in Bao Thang district are maintained for 12/12 months and 2 rounds/month. Round 1 is implemented from the 3rd to the 7th of each month. Round 2 is implemented for the second injection for children who have received the first dose of Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and for those who did not come for vaccination in previous plans and rounds. The time for organizing round 2 vaccination is from 7 to 14 days after round 1. As of March 2024, medical units in the district have fully vaccinated 207 children under 1 year old, vaccinated 323 children against measles - Rubella, and vaccinated 482 children with DPT vaccine...

To improve the quality of vaccination and ensure safe vaccination, we have planned to organize training for medical staff specializing in vaccination, staff participating in vaccination at health stations, hospitals and staff in charge of vaccination services at the Health Center. Communication about the benefits of vaccination has also been promoted through many information channels, spreading so that people can proactively bring their children to get enough doses and on schedule.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Director of Bao Thang District Medical Center.

In some highland areas, expanded vaccination is still facing difficulties due to limited awareness among people, who do not fully understand the benefits of vaccination, so they do not take the initiative to bring their children to vaccination sites. Therefore, health station staff regularly conduct direct communication, visit households and provide advice and reminders on vaccination schedules through the village health network and collaborators.

In order to ensure safety in vaccination, the health sector has stepped up inspection, supervision and support before, during and after vaccination, supervision of import - export, preservation, transportation and use of vaccines in vaccination, vaccination rate and progress at all levels and management of vaccination information on the National Vaccination Information System... Every month, when communes and towns organize vaccination, there are staff from district and town health centers to supervise the vaccination tables at least once a month for 12 months.

Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure to reduce morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. Some priority groups for vaccination are children, women of childbearing age, women planning to become pregnant in the next 4 months, pregnant women, adults with chronic diseases and all those at risk of exposure to infectious diseases, families with members with hepatitis B.

The health sector is making efforts to implement safe and convenient vaccination, so people also need to proactively get vaccinated and take their children to vaccination sites to be protected against dangerous infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccines.