The measles-rubella vaccination campaign begins.

(Baonghean.vn) - The free measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Nghe An province started on October 1, 2014 and will last until January 2015 for approximately 760,000 children aged 1-14 years old... After two days of implementation, this campaign has received widespread support from the people; ensuring vaccination safety is a priority for the relevant authorities.

Con Cuong District is one of the first three districts in Nghe An province to implement a free measles-rubella vaccination campaign, along with Tuong Duong and Ky Son districts. According to surveys, the total number of children needing vaccination in Con Cuong District is 15,712. Phase 1 took place from October 1st to 15th, with the Con Cuong District Health Center vaccinating children aged 1-5 years. Phase 2 took place from November 16th to 30th, vaccinating children aged 6-10 years, and Phase 3 took place from January 2nd to 16th, 2015.

In difficult areas such as Khe Khang village (Mon Son commune), Khu Bu, Khe Na, and Khe Nong villages (Chau Khe commune), the district health department will simultaneously vaccinate all children aged 1-14 in a single phase, using a phased approach from schools to village communities. In the first two days of phase 1, 9 out of 13 communes and towns in Con Cuong district have administered free measles-rubella vaccines to children.

On the first day of measles-rubella vaccination, the Chi Khe commune health station saw a large number of parents bringing their children for immunization. The vaccination site, with its conveniently arranged and spacious areas for record keeping, screening, vaccination, beds, and waiting, ensured hygiene. The health station had sufficient staff at the reception, screening, and vaccination stations, as well as medical personnel to handle cases of shock. During vaccination, the medical staff followed the correct procedures: calling names, screening, counseling, administering the vaccine, monitoring children after vaccination, and withholding vaccinations for children with contraindications. Parents expressed satisfaction at seeing their children receive such thorough vaccinations.

Residents of Chi Khe commune, Con Cuong district, take their children to get vaccinated against measles and rubella.

Health workers at Chi Khe Commune Health Station administer free measles-rubella vaccinations to children.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet, 21 years old, mother of Nguyen Huu Dat, from Hamlet 4, Chi Khe Commune, expressed: “Thanks to the commune and district's宣传 (propaganda/awareness campaign) about the benefits of measles-rubella vaccination, I arranged time to bring my child here. Here, my child received the vaccination, and I also received clearer explanations from the doctors and nurses about these two diseases…” Outside, a car carrying loudspeakers from Chi Khe Commune continuously drove along National Highway 7 and the main roads of the commune, broadcasting messages about the campaign and urging people to bring their children for measles-rubella vaccination.

Similarly, the free measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Lang Khe commune was implemented safely and comprehensively. The Health Station coordinated with the commune's kindergarten to set up three vaccination points: one at the main school and two at satellite schools. The vaccination point at the health station will be for children who could not be vaccinated at the school. Dr. Loc Dang Xao, Head of the Lang Khe Commune Health Station, said: "On the first day of the measles-rubella vaccination campaign, we vaccinated 138 children in the eligible age group, without missing any; four children with contraindications due to opportunistic infections were not vaccinated in this round and will be vaccinated in the next round. The measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Lang Khe has been ensured to be safe in all aspects."

Pre-vaccination screening at the Lang Khe commune kindergarten vaccination point, Con Cuong district.

It can be said that, up to this point, the measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Con Cuong district has been proceeding smoothly, meeting the quality and safety standards set by the Ministry of Health. Dr. Vi Duc Xai, Deputy Director of the Con Cuong District Health Center, stated: "Before implementing the vaccination plan, we made thorough preparations, from training healthcare workers to ensuring safe facilities, including assigning personnel to conduct thorough screening examinations and providing sufficient anti-shock medication. In addition, the Health Center has coordinated with the district general hospital to establish two mobile emergency teams ready to respond. Fortunately, at this point, nearing the end of the first phase, no unfortunate incidents have occurred."

Information from the Nghe An Provincial Center for Preventive Medicine: In the first two days, Tuong Duong district implemented measles-rubella vaccination in remote and hard-to-reach areas, specifically in the two communes of Nhon Mai and Mai Son in the Ban Ve reservoir area. The measles-rubella vaccination campaign has initially achieved its set goals and plans. The Nghe An Health Department is actively monitoring and inspecting the preparations of districts, cities, and towns that will soon implement measles-rubella vaccination. On October 2nd, the Provincial Center for Preventive Medicine inspected Anh Son district – the district that will carry out vaccinations from October 7th, 2014 to January 14th, 2015.

To date, Anh Son district has completed all preparations, including identifying target groups, arranging vaccination points, and allocating personnel for the measles-rubella vaccination campaign. Dr. Phan The Hung, Director of the Anh Son District Health Center, affirmed: To ensure the supply of vaccines and materials and the rational allocation of personnel, the Anh Son District Health Center will conduct vaccinations in a staggered manner across 4 clusters of communes and towns with 21 vaccination points on different days. 77 medical staff will conduct screening examinations at 21 fixed vaccination points and 1 mobile vaccination point for 77 examination tables. Doctors from the center and commune health stations have been mobilized to ensure that each vaccination table has a doctor.

Measles and rubella are common infectious diseases that can cause epidemics in children, resulting in large numbers of cases, high mortality rates, and severe long-term consequences. To avoid the risk of rubella and measles and to enhance the effectiveness of vaccination programs, all citizens should ensure their children receive all measles-rubella vaccinations according to the recommended schedule.

Thanh Son