Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just signed an official dispatch directing the acceleration of vaccination to prevent and control measles.
The telegram stated: The measles epidemic continues to develop complicatedly, with a number of localities still recording a high number of cases. In order to quickly control the epidemic and prevent it from spreading and breaking out on a large scale, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Health, ministries, agencies and localities to continue to strictly implement the Prime Minister's Telegram No. 116/2024 on strengthening the prevention and control of measles.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, by early 2025, the number of cases continued to increase, especially in the first months of the year, with 38,807 suspected cases and 3,447 positive cases. Notably, 5 deaths were recorded in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc.
Measles cases are mainly concentrated in children from 9 months to under 15 years old, accounting for 72.7% of total cases. More than 90% of measles cases have not been vaccinated or have not been fully vaccinated.
Measles is forecast to have a general downward trend, but has not stopped completely, and we still need to be very careful with the risk of an outbreak. It is expected that the number of suspected measles rash fever cases will continue to be recorded nationwide. Especially in high-risk areas such as mountainous provinces, where many ethnic minorities live, access to health services is limited and localities with low vaccination rates are the areas most susceptible to outbreaks.
Specifically, the Minister of Health needs to continue to direct and support localities to accelerate the implementation of the measles vaccination campaign. The campaign must end no later than March 31, 2025;
Ensure sufficient measles vaccines and timely distribution to localities to effectively implement the Expanded Immunization Program (no shortages or delays as in the past).
The Ministry of Health also directed medical facilities to strictly implement the admission and treatment of patients with measles and suspected measles rash fever, according to the Ministry of Health's instructions;
Coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to ensure adequate and timely funding for the measles vaccination campaign before March 18, 2025.
The Prime Minister assigned the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to continue to urgently direct the assessment of the measles situation in their localities to plan the measles vaccination campaign according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health, to prevent measles outbreaks in the coming time. Resolutely ensure sufficient human resources, funding, materials, equipment, and vaccines to accelerate the vaccination progress, to be completed in March 2025;
Effectively implement the expanded vaccination program, catch-up vaccination, and catch-up vaccination for subjects who have not been vaccinated or have not been fully vaccinated. Organize vaccination forms suitable to the actual conditions and characteristics of each locality to quickly vaccinate subjects;
Urgently direct authorities at all levels, relevant departments and branches to coordinate and support the health sector to strengthen screening and management of vaccination subjects to ensure close adherence to the actual situation in the area; not to miss any subjects, especially in areas at risk of outbreaks, with the spirit of "going to every alley, knocking on every door, screening every subject".
The Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities shall direct the strengthening of information, communication, and propaganda to mobilize people, especially in remote, border, island, and ethnic minority areas, to proactively implement measures to prevent and control measles and to vaccinate children fully and on schedule according to the instructions of the health sector.
The Minister of Education and Training is responsible for directing educational institutions to implement measures to prevent and control measles epidemics according to the instructions of the health sector. Monitor the health of children and students and immediately notify medical facilities when detecting suspected cases of measles for timely isolation and treatment; mobilize parents to take their children for full and timely vaccination.
The Prime Minister assigned Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long to directly monitor and direct the implementation of this Official Dispatch, handle difficulties within his authority, and report to the Prime Minister those exceeding his authority.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/thu-tuong-ra-cong-dien-chi-dao-day-nhanh-tiem-vaccine-phong-benh-soi-post542510.html
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