Ministry of Health issues measles prevention plan in 2015
Since the beginning of the year, 13 cases of measles virus have been detected, mainly in Hanoi and Bac Ninh.
Since the beginning of the year, measles has appeared sporadically in many localities, in which treatment facilities have tested and detected 13 cases positive for measles virus, mainly concentrated in Hanoi and Bac Ninh. Given the unpredictable developments of the measles epidemic and the winter-spring season being very favorable for the measles virus to develop, the Ministry of Health has just issued a Measles Prevention Plan for 2015.
Measles is one of the leading causes of death in children, with 14 children dying from measles every hour worldwide. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has set a goal in 2015 to control measles outbreaks nationwide, minimizing the number of cases and deaths; Increase vaccination rates to achieve measles vaccine coverage of over 95% at the commune, ward and town level for all children aged 1-14. Ensure vaccination safety, and prevent medical facility errors during the vaccination process.
The Ministry of Health requires medical facilities to regularly review subjects of vaccination age in all communes and wards in the area, social protection centers, and voluntary centralized care facilities, and to implement measles vaccination for subjects who have not been vaccinated or have not received 2 doses; Organize measles vaccination, especially in remote villages and hamlets, ensuring full measles vaccination coverage for children of vaccination age; Provide adequate vaccines and materials for vaccination, and receive, transport, preserve, and distribute vaccines and vaccination materials in accordance with regulations.
The Ministry of Health also requested the expanded vaccination system nationwide to strengthen safety assurance, prevent errors by medical facilities during the vaccination process; effectively monitor and promptly handle cases of reactions after vaccination; closely monitor and report daily epidemic situation according to regulations.
Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said: “The Ministry of Health continues to strongly recommend vaccination, including measles vaccination for children. Only vaccines are guaranteed to be the most effective measure to prevent infectious diseases. For provinces and cities, it is necessary to strengthen communication to mobilize parents to take their children for vaccination, and enhance the role and responsibility of local authorities in vaccination advocacy and vaccination management. The Ministry of Health has also directed the entire vaccination system to tighten vaccination procedures and regulations to ensure the highest level of vaccination safety.”
Previously, in late 2013 and early 2014, measles broke out and occurred in all provinces and cities, recording 35,725 cases of rash fever suspected of measles, of which 5,809 cases were confirmed measles, 147 deaths related to measles. The subjects with the disease were mainly those who had not been vaccinated against measles or had not received enough doses of vaccine, especially in places where the measles vaccination rate was low in previous years and areas with high population fluctuations./.
According to VOV
