HCM City intensifies vaccination to end measles epidemic

A health worker administers a measles vaccine to a child in HCM City’s District 8. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The HCM City health sector continues ramping up its measles vaccination campaign as part of its effort to declare an end to the outbreak.

Dr. Nguyễn Văn Vĩnh Châu, deputy director of the municipal Department of Health, said the city reported 96 new cases last week, showing signs of stabilisation in the number of new cases, with several districts recording no cases.

“To declare the outbreak resolved, the city requires 21 days without new cases post-vaccination,” according to Châu.

Since the outbreak began, there have been 743 cases in the city, primarily in children aged nine months to five years.

Around 35,000 children aged one to five have been vaccinated, achieving over 72 per cent of the target.

However, Châu noted that coverage varies by district, urging low vaccination districts to improve coverage.

The city has lately set up 12 rapid response teams to combat rising measles cases in schools and improve vaccination rates among children.

Each team includes members from the local disease control center and children’s hospitals.

Their duties include monitoring outbreaks, implementing response measures, and advising schools on prevention.

Following a measles outbreak declared in late August in the city, a free vaccination campaign began on August 31 to boost community immunity.

Measles spreads through respiratory droplets and presents symptoms such as fever, respiratory issues, conjunctivitis, and a rash.

While most children recover without complications, vulnerable groups face severe risks.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can spread rapidly following an incubation period of seven to 21 days.

Medical experts caution that in addition to it possibly leading to death, it can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, otitis media, keratitis and diarrhea.

Measles can only be effectively managed when the community immunity rate reaches 95 per cent and each individual has received two doses of a vaccine. — VNS

A text message on September 24 from the HCM City People’s Committee recommends parents take children aged one to 10 who haven’t received both measles vaccine doses to schools or health stations for free vaccinations. — VNS Photo Bồ Xuân Hiệp