Efforts to increase vaccination rates against diseases.

The Hanoi Center for Disease Control, assigned by the Hanoi Department of Health as the permanent unit for immunization work, has developed a professional activity plan and guided all immunization facilities to implement the regulations of the Ministry of Health and the Hanoi Department of Health.

At the same time, the Hanoi City Center for Disease Control and Prevention serves as the central point for compiling vaccine needs within the expanded immunization program of units in the city. It reports and proposes vaccine allocation according to guidelines, organizes the receipt, transportation, storage, distribution, and disbursement of vaccines to units in accordance with regulations.

In addition, to enhance the capacity of vaccination staff at district and county health centers, the Hanoi Center for Disease Control and Prevention organizes training courses on management, safe vaccination practices, and infectious disease surveillance; and conducts monitoring of vaccination work such as: target group management, vaccination safety, and monthly and quarterly progress assessments of vaccination activities.

According to Dr. Bui Van Hao, Director of the Hanoi City Center for Disease Control, in light of the potential for infectious disease outbreaks, the Ministry of Health has issued warnings about several diseases that have been recorded recently, such as measles, whooping cough, and diphtheria.

For vaccine-preventable diseases, people are advised to proactively get vaccinated fully and on schedule according to the guidelines of the health sector...

According to the doctors, to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign, the health station proactively reviewed eligible individuals, intensified communication and announcements via text messages or phone calls, and sent invitations to residents in the area to inform them of the time and location of the vaccination.

When people bring their children for vaccination, they will be greeted by healthcare workers, screened, advised, and vaccinated according to the correct dosage, age, regulations, and guidelines of the Ministry of Health.

In addition, parents are also instructed on how to monitor and manage post-vaccination reactions in their children. For families whose children have not yet been vaccinated, healthcare workers are more attentive, proactively calling to inform them and schedule a follow-up vaccination appointment.

By participating in the Expanded Immunization Program, children will receive vaccinations against diseases such as hepatitis B, tuberculosis, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, measles-rubella, or Japanese encephalitis… Vaccines stimulate the body to produce antibodies, protect health, and limit the attack of harmful viruses and bacteria.

Therefore, getting vaccinated on schedule and with the correct dosage will help children develop a strong immune system, preventing dangerous infectious diseases...

Outside of Hanoi, the current infectious disease situation is becoming more complex, requiring strengthened preventive measures, including vaccination.

On August 10th, the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) announced that during week 31 (July 29th to August 4th), 60 cases of fever and rash suspected of being measles were detected in the city. Of these, 9 cases were confirmed in laboratory tests (positive ELISA IgM).

Additionally, during week 31, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 254 cases of dengue fever, 21% higher than the average of the previous four weeks.

The total number of dengue fever cases accumulated from the beginning of 2024 to week 31 is 5,136. Districts with the highest number of dengue fever cases per 100,000 people include District 1, Thu Duc City, and District 7.

Regarding hand, foot, and mouth disease, in week 31, the city recorded 351 cases, 18.7% lower than the average of the previous four weeks. The total number of hand, foot, and mouth disease cases accumulated from the beginning of 2024 to week 31 is 9,475.

Districts with a high number of hand, foot, and mouth disease cases per 100,000 people include Binh Chanh District, Nha Be District, and District 8. Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease and dengue fever, while there is a vaccine to prevent measles.

According to statistics from Children's Hospital 1 (Ho Chi Minh City), the hospital recorded 82 new measles cases admitted in July. This rate is higher than the same period in 2023 and the average of the past five years. It is predicted that this rate will continue to increase in the coming time.

The Ho Chi Minh City CDC has warned that the number of children hospitalized due to dengue fever and bronchiolitis will increase in August.

Previously, in late March 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of the resurgence of measles. According to the WHO, in the Western Pacific region, the number of measles cases had increased by 255% from 2022 to 2023.

According to the 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 coverage.

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.

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.