Free additional measles vaccine injection for children 2-10 years old

The Ministry of Health has just issued a plan to provide free measles vaccination for children aged 2-10 in some high-risk areas such as: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Binh Duong...

The move was made by the Ministry of Health to quickly contain the measles outbreak as soon as possible. In addition, 63 provinces and cities have implemented the measles vaccination plan for children aged 9 months to 2 years according to the plan issued 2 months ago, reaching a rate of 74%. However, in some places, the number of cases is still high, mainly concentrated in children under 10 years old.

Measles patient at Dong Da Hospital. Photo: N. Phuong.

Therefore, in this plan, the Ministry of Health will expand the vaccination coverage for children from 2 to 10 years old who have not been vaccinated, have not received enough doses or have an unknown vaccination history in high-risk provinces and cities. These places meet one of the following criteria: Having a high number of new cases in April; Having a high density of domestic and international exchanges, a high rate of population movement, and having many large industrial zones...

Up to this point, 11 localities need to implement this plan including: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Binh Duong.

Based on the epidemic situation in the area, the Department of Health reports to the People's Committee to decide on the selection of key areas to deploy the campaign. Commune and ward health stations review the list of subjects that need to be vaccinated in the area, including transient subjects. Based on that, localities make estimates of vaccine needs and necessary vaccination supplies.

The Ministry of Health recommends that localities organize daily vaccinations at fixed and mobile vaccination sites from May to complete in July. At least two medical staff must be assigned to each vaccination site. For vaccination sites at schools, coordination with the school is required.

The campaign's goal is to reach a rate of over 95%. The implementation period is from May to July.

As of April 26, the country recorded nearly 3,700 measles cases, 127 deaths related to measles, mainly due to pneumonia in children under 9 months old.

Recommendations from the Ministry of Health on measles prevention during the April 30 and May 1 holidays:

1. People with symptoms of respiratory infection or suspected measles such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, rash should not travel or go to crowded places.

2. Children who have not been vaccinated against measles should not be taken to crowded places such as playgrounds and entertainment areas to avoid measles infection; improve children's nutrition, regularly clean their teeth, nose, throat, eyes and body, wash hands with soap when caring for children, and keep the house and toilets clean.

3. Take the initiative to bring children from 9 months to 2 years old who have not been vaccinated or have not received 2 measles doses or children from 9 months to 10 years old living in high-risk areas to the commune or ward health station for vaccination.

4. During travel, if you have symptoms of suspected measles such as fever, cough, rash, go immediately to the nearest medical facility for timely consultation, examination, treatment and limit contact with others to avoid spreading.

According to VNexpress