MEASLES – VIET NAM (03): WHO ASSESSMENT, ALERT
A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Thu 6 Feb 2025 16:26 ICT
Source: Viet Bao [in Vietnamese, machine trans., edited]
https://vietbao.vn/who-warns-of-measles-surge-in-viet-nam-528149.html
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has assessed the risk of a measles
outbreak in Việt Nam as very high and recommends large-scale
vaccination campaigns in provinces and cities with high and very high
risk, as well as in areas currently experiencing measles case
clusters.
For provinces and cities with low and medium risk, WHO advises
conducting reviews for catch-up vaccinations for children who missed
doses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, Việt Nam reported more than 45 550 suspected measles cases,
including 7583 confirmed infections and 16 deaths linked to the
disease.
Approximately one-fourth of confirmed cases occurred in infants under
9 months of age, a group not yet eligible for routine measles
vaccination under national guidelines. Health authorities noted that
most cases involved unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children or those
too young to receive the vaccine.
WHO emphasised that in countries with active measles transmission, the
1st dose of the measles vaccine should be administered at 9 months,
followed by a 2nd dose for children aged 15 to 18 months.
During outbreaks, the agency recommends an additional supplementary
dose for infants aged 6 to 9 months to curb transmission. These early
doses, WHO stressed, are safe and effective in protecting vulnerable
infants during epidemics.
Since September 2024, Việt Nam’s Ministry of Health has rolled out
measles vaccination campaigns for children aged 1-10 years across 31
provinces. Seven provinces have completed the campaign’s 1st phase,
while 24 others continue efforts to administer initial and follow-up
doses.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Health has drafted a 2025 measles
prevention plan targeting high-risk areas. Children aged 6 months to
under 9 months in 24 provinces with active outbreaks will be
prioritised, alongside those aged 1 to 10 years in designated regions.
Healthcare workers treating measles patients who are not fully
vaccinated will also be included.
The 2025 campaign will unfold in 2 phases. Phase 1 will cover
provinces listed under Decisions No. 2495/QĐ-BYT and 3526/QĐ-BYT,
while Phase 2 will expand to 17 more provinces, including Thái Bình,
Hà Nam and Bắc Giang. Local authorities will determine specific age
groups for vaccination based on outbreak severity and vaccine
availability, according to the Ministry of Health.