Director of Nghe An Department of Health: Determined and resolute in fighting measles

High risk of measles outbreak

Currently, Nghe An is one of the provinces and cities with a high tendency of measles. Specifically, from the beginning of the year to March 18, Nghe An recorded 1,210 cases of rash fever suspected of measles, with no deaths (in 2024, the whole province had 1,191 cases).

The number of cases is high, mainly concentrated in 3 localities: Vinh City (207 cases; sporadic cases from the district are scattered in the communes); Ky Son District (585 cases) and Tuong Duong District (130 cases). In Ky Son and Tuong Duong districts, many cases appeared after the Lunar New Year.

From March 7 to March 18 alone, 420 cases of rash fever suspected of measles were recorded in 18/20 localities. The number of cases was mainly in Ky Son district (238 cases), Tuong Duong (94 cases) and Que Phong (17 cases). Other localities recorded sporadic cases.

Since the beginning of the year, Nghe An has taken 82 measles samples. The results showed 68 positive cases, 2 negative cases and 12 awaiting results. Reviewing the measles vaccination history of the 68 positive cases, it shows that: 6 cases were not old enough to be vaccinated (8.8%), 47 cases were old enough but not vaccinated (69.1%), 14 cases received 1 dose (19.1%), 2 cases received 2 doses (3%).

According to Dr. Chu Trong Trang - Director of Nghe An Province Center for Disease Control:Measles epidemicThe outbreak in mountainous districts is due to low vaccination rates in some mountainous districts, so measles epidemics still have the potential to become large outbreaks.

Although some localities have a high vaccination rate of 95%, there is still a 5% unvaccinated rate that accumulates each year, creating an immunity gap. The vaccination rate of some localities does not meet the requirements at the commune level.

In 2025, there are some changes in community immunity, especially the group of children under 9 months who have not yet reached the expanded vaccination schedule but still get sick. The group of children who have been fully vaccinated with 2 doses in the expanded vaccination schedule but still get sick.

Vaccination is slow and does not meet requirements

Clearly defined,measlesThe outbreak is due to low vaccination rates and only vaccination can prevent and control measles. Since the beginning of the year, Nghe An Health Department has implemented many solutions to prevent and control measles. In particular, focusing on promoting measles and measles-rubella vaccination activities.

On February 27, 2025, the Department of Health issued Plan No. 646/KH-SYT to organize a measles vaccination campaign for children aged 6 to under 9 months. The goal is set from March 3 to March 31, 2025, 95% of children aged 6 months to under 9 months receive 1 dose of measles vaccine.

The total number of children expected to be vaccinated in the campaign is 11,968. At this point, 17 districts and towns have been vaccinated; 03 localities have not been vaccinated: Vinh city, Do Luong district and Con Cuong district. The total number of children vaccinated is 4,282 (35.7%). Thus, the progress of measles vaccination campaign is still slow and does not meet the requirements.

Meanwhile, the results of measles-containing vaccines in the expanded immunization program in Nghe An in the first two months of 2025 also did not meet the requirements (15.8%). Specifically, measles vaccines were administered to 9-month-old children by 6,669/48,586 children, equivalent to 13.7%; measles-rubella vaccines were administered to 18-month-old children by 5,700/49,066 children, equivalent to 11.6%.

In the three measles "hotspot" localities of the province, the vaccination rate for measles and measles-rubella vaccines is still low. Specifically, in Vinh city, in the first two months of 2025, 677/5,157 children aged 9 months were vaccinated against measles (13.1%); 626/4,494 children aged 18 months were vaccinated against measles-rubella (13.9%)... For children aged 6 to 9 months, Vinh city has just launched a measles vaccination campaign since March 20. The number of children expected to be vaccinated is 1,363.

In Ky Son district, in the first two months of 2025, 154/1,640 9-month-old children were vaccinated against measles (9.4%); 151/1,660 18-month-old children were vaccinated against measles-rubella (9.1%)... For children aged 6 to 9 months, from March 6 to now, 27/377 children have been vaccinated, reaching 7.2%. Measles vaccination campaign for 1,089/2,013 children who have not received enough doses (54.1%). The district is carrying out vaccinations but progress is slow.

In Tuong Duong district, in the first two months of 2025, 159/977 children aged 9 months were vaccinated against measles (16.3%); 75/875 children aged 18 months were vaccinated against measles-rubella (8.6%)... For children who have not received enough doses, from March 11 to now, 165/417 children (39.6%) have been vaccinated. For children aged 6 to 9 months, from March 11, 2025 to now, 129/248 children (52%) have been vaccinated. The district is also conducting vaccinations but progress is slow.

Resolutely implement the measles vaccination campaign

Speaking at the online conference on measles prevention and control in the province, Dr. Le Thi Hoai Chung - Director of the Department of Health stated: The results of measles prevention and control in Nghe An have not been as expected, there are still many shortcomings. In particular, the leaders of medical units have not been involved closely and resolutely, and have not really prevented and controlled properly.

To prevent measles, medical units must be determined and resolute, like fighting an enemy, to control the epidemic at all costs. The requirement is to increase the rate of measles immunity in the community. By March 31, 2025, 95% of children who are eligible for vaccination who have not been vaccinated or have not received enough doses of the vaccine must be vaccinated against measles. The vaccination process must ensure safety.

The Director of the Department of Health requested: Medical centers and health stations must focus on investigating and checking carefully. It is necessary to go to every alley, knock on every door, check every subject to make a list of children who need to be vaccinated, not to be missed. Strengthen communication work in many forms and means with content on measures to prevent and control measles, the benefits of vaccination, care, isolation and the need to take children to medical facilities to avoid complications.

It is necessary to organize appropriate forms of measles vaccination; provide adequate vaccines; speed up vaccination progress; ensure vaccination safety and properly handle post-vaccination reactions.

Medical centers and health stations also need to advise local Party committees and authorities on measles prevention; call on all levels, sectors, organizations, units and prestigious people in the area to coordinate and participate in measles prevention, especially in mobilizing people to participate in vaccination; coordinate well with medical examination and treatment facilities in the area to prevent measles... aiming to minimize measles cases and prevent complications.

Medical examination and treatment facilities need to vaccinate all medical staff against measles; effectively classify and isolate cases to avoid cross-infection; perform treatment well; be ready to receive patients transferred from lower levels; and promptly report suspected cases of measles and infectious diseases according to regulations.

The provincial Center for Disease Control has increased support and directed medical units to effectively implement the measles vaccination campaign, and ensure that vaccination is on schedule; ensure adequate vaccine supply, prioritizing key localities with measles outbreaks; send working groups to closely monitor and support the grassroots; and promote communication and propaganda about measles.

During this period, the Nghe An Department of Health will establish monitoring teams, conduct surprise inspections, post-inspections, and discipline units and individuals who do not properly implement the campaign; omit or incorrectly report vaccination results and measles vaccination./.

Thanh Chung