A baby receives measles vaccine shot in the northern province of Ninh Bình in March 2025. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long had a meeting with WHO Việt Nam Representative Angela Pratt and UNICEF Việt Nam Representative Silvia Danilov in Hà Nội on Thursday to discuss collaboration in preventing diseases, particularly measles.

The international health officials said gaps in Việt Nam's measles immunisation coverage in certain regions has promoted the need to accelerate vaccination efforts, expand eligible age groups, and ensure no one is left unvaccinated. They also underscored the importance of stockpiling medical supplies, securing adequate drug reserves, and preventing cross-infection in healthcare facilities.

Danilov called for greater engagement from all levels of authorities, sectors, and civil society in the fight against measles. She also urged Việt Nam to reform and enhance its procurement system to guarantee sufficient medical supplies and vaccines.

UNICEF remains committed to supporting Việt Nam in these efforts, she affirmed.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Thị Liên Hương said that the ministry is ensuring an adequate supply of measles vaccines for the national expanded immunisation programme, while planning to hold an online conference with local authorities to reinforce the country’s disease prevention.

Appreciating international organisations' cooperation, Deputy PM Long expressed Việt Nam's wish for continued international support, particularly in vaccine provision, and announced the country’s readiness to handle potential outbreaks and plans to roll out further immunisation campaigns.

He urged the Ministry of Health to work more closely with WHO and UNICEF to help refine Việt Nam's policies on healthcare, particularly disease prevention.

According to the ministry, measles vaccine coverage has fallen below the recommended level in recent years due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2019 and 2024, an estimated 1.4 million children in the targeted age group of the expanded immunisation programme have either missed or only partially completed their routine measles vaccinations. To date, catch-up vaccination efforts have reached approximately 70 per cent, about 900,000, of the children. — VNS