Strengthen vaccination to prevent measles

(Baonghean) - The transition from winter to spring is the time when pathogens caused by bacteria and viruses have very favorable conditions to develop and spread, increasing the risk of infectious diseases in young children (including measles). "Anticipating" the development of seasonal epidemics, the provincial health sector has coordinated with relevant units to strengthen activities to prevent and control measles in the community.

One of the measures to proactively create a broad immune foundation in the community (especially in the group of children at highest risk of disease from 1-14 years old) is to implement a measles-rubella vaccination campaign for the above-mentioned group of children. In Vinh City, with a dense population, of which immigrants account for a large number, it is difficult to control epidemics. Therefore, when there was a policy from the health sector on implementing a measles-rubella vaccination campaign for children from 1-14 years old, the city mobilized political systems to participate. The campaign was divided into 3 phases, lasting from November 1, 2014 to January 25, 2015, with the result that 97.5% of children from 1-14 years old in Vinh City were vaccinated against measles-rubella and ensured vaccination safety.

Measles-rubella vaccination for children at Chi Khe Commune Health Station (Con Cuong).

According to statistics, in 2014, Vinh City recorded 241 cases of children with rash fever suspected of measles. In order to proactively prevent and control measles, at this time, in addition to implementing the measles-rubella vaccination campaign; the city has issued a document directing 25 health stations in wards and communes to regularly disseminate information to the community on how to prevent the disease for children; at the same time, strengthen epidemiological surveillance to detect suspected cases early, thereby taking timely measures...

Returning to the "epicenter" of the measles epidemic - Tuong Duong district, in October 2014, the district recorded 48 cases of measles in children in Mai Son commune, then recorded 2 more cases in Huu Khuong commune. As the area where the measles epidemic had just "passed", the district's health sector paid special attention to implementing the measles-rubella vaccination campaign for children aged 1-14; in just over 1 month, the campaign was completed in 18 communes across the district. In communes and villages that were dozens of kilometers away from each other on forest roads, had to cross streams and ravines, so the Tuong Duong health sector deployed vaccination points right in the villages, to make it easier for people to take their children for vaccination. Each commune was assigned 2-3 groups of district health workers, coordinating with commune and village health workers, to vaccinate children. For some remote communes far from the district center, the local health sector has established a cold chain, providing ice 1-2 times in time for each vaccination to ensure the preservation of vaccines for vaccination. In the measles-rubella vaccination campaign in November 2014, in Tuong Duong district, more than 17 thousand children were vaccinated, reaching a rate of 96.5%, only a few children were not vaccinated due to contraindications to vaccination. According to Mr. Pham Quoc Duong, Director of Tuong Duong District Health Center, in addition, to proactively prevent measles in the winter-spring season, the locality is currently implementing measles vaccination for children who are not old enough to be vaccinated (under 1 year old) and expanded vaccination for children under 9 months old; At the same time, strengthen propaganda through banners and posters at community houses, commune health stations and village health teams to directly propagate to people about hygiene and disease prevention methods for children... In addition, strengthen disease surveillance, two-way information on the disease situation between village health teams, commune health stations to the district level on a monthly basis.

Fully vaccinated against measles and rubella can help children develop an immune response to the disease with a protection rate of up to 95% and last for life. Mr. Tran Nguyen Truyen - Deputy Head of the Medical Affairs Department, Department of Health said that up to now, in the whole province, 19/21 districts, cities and towns have completed the measles and rubella vaccination campaign for children aged 1-14 years old. In general, the whole province has 95.6% of children vaccinated against measles and rubella. Of which, most districts have achieved a high rate, from 96% or more, only 2 districts Nam Dan and Tan Ky are conducting the final vaccination, when the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology provides enough vaccines, these localities will complete; it is expected that the campaign will end by February 15. Thus, there will be about 760 thousand children vaccinated against measles and rubella in Nghe An province.

Although from the beginning of 2015 until now, the province has not recorded any cases of measles. But before that, in 2014, Nghe An recorded 844 cases of children with rash fever suspected of measles, scattered in some localities such as Vinh City, Hung Nguyen, Yen Thanh, Tuong Duong ... Winter - Spring, with the characteristics of low temperature, prolonged humidity, is the condition for the emergence of infectious diseases in young children, including measles. To proactively prevent and control measles, in parallel with the implementation of the measles - rubella vaccination campaign for children aged 1-14 in the whole province, the Department of Health issued Official Dispatch 245/SYT-NVY dated February 2, 2015 directing localities to focus on the following contents: reviewing equipment, supplies, chemicals, and medicines for disease prevention and control. Closely monitor suspected measles rash fever cases in the community and at medical examination and treatment facilities to detect measles cases early, promptly provide emergency care and treatment to patients, thoroughly handle outbreaks, and minimize the number of cases and deaths. Preventive Medicine Centers and Medical Centers of districts, cities, and towns direct the implementation of measles vaccination in the monthly expanded immunization program, ensuring that all children are vaccinated against measles immediately when they are 9 months old, avoiding the situation of measles due to late vaccination, and continue to organize the measles-rubella vaccination campaign for children aged 1-14 years old to achieve a rate of over 95%; regularly review subjects and organize measles vaccination, especially in remote areas, areas with difficult access, areas with ethnic minorities, social protection centers, and voluntary centralized care facilities. In addition, promote propaganda for people about measures to prevent and control respiratory diseases, including measles, the benefits of measles vaccination, pay attention to vaccination on schedule, with enough doses for children in the expanded immunization age so that people understand and take their children for vaccination, proactively implementing disease prevention measures for themselves and the community.

Measles is transmitted through the air or through direct contact with nasal and throat secretions of an infected person. Children who have not been vaccinated against measles and those who are not immune to the measles virus can get measles. To prevent measles, parents need to take the initiative to have children from 9 months to 2 years old who have not been vaccinated or have not received 2 doses of measles vaccine or children from 1 year to 14 years old fully vaccinated against measles and rubella on schedule; do not let children get close to or come into contact with children suspected of having measles; ensure hygiene for children such as: regularly washing hands with soap, keeping children's body, nose, throat, eyes and mouth clean every day; ensure houses and toilets are airy and clean; pay attention to improving children's nutrition.

Medical experts also recommend: Measles is a highly contagious disease, especially in crowded places such as schools. Therefore, schools, nurseries, kindergartens, and places with a large number of children need to be kept clean and airy; toys, learning tools, and classrooms should be regularly disinfected with common disinfectants. When parents detect signs of fever, cough, runny nose, or rash, they should promptly isolate and take their children to the nearest medical facility for examination and timely treatment advice; children should not be treated beyond the level of the hospital when not necessary to avoid hospital overload and cross-infection in the hospital.

Dinh Nguyet