A health worker administers a measles vaccine to a child in District 8, HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo Đinh Hằng

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health has announced the launch of a nationwide measles vaccination campaign set to begin in the third quarter of 2024.

The campaign will cover 135 districts across 18 provinces and cities and aims to administer over 1.1 million doses of the measles-rubella vaccine to children in high-risk areas.

It comes in response to a warning from the World Health Organization (WHO) issued late last year highlighting a global rise in measles cases and cautioning Việt Nam about the potential for a domestic outbreak.

In light of this, the Ministry of Health has proactively developed a plan to conduct supplementary and catch-up vaccinations to boost community immunity.

According to Hoàng Minh Đức, Director of the General Department of Preventive Medicine, Việt Nam has recorded over 2,000 measles cases so far this year, with more than 500 cases in HCM City.

"With the new school year approaching, the risk of measles infection and transmission is very high. The majority of severe cases and deaths are among unvaccinated children," said Đức.

The campaign marks a significant expansion of previous vaccination efforts. While routine vaccinations have targeted children at nine and 18 months old, this new campaign will focus on children aged one to 10 years who have not yet received the full two doses.

Vaccinations will be conducted at healthcare facilities, community health stations and educational institutions, including primary schools and daycare centres.

In remote and hard-to-reach areas, special arrangements will be made to ensure access. Catch-up vaccinations will also be provided for children unable to receive the vaccine during the scheduled rounds.

The ministry emphasised that achieving over 95 per cent community immunity is essential to halt measles transmission, given that measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in crowded places.

The ministry has urged local authorities to strengthen their efforts to monitor and control the disease. It has also called on parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine to help achieve the necessary level of immunity. — VNS