Synchronously deploy epidemic prevention measures
On April 1, according to the Tan Ky District Medical Center (Nghe An), up to now, the district has recorded 15 cases positive for measles virus. Faced with the risk of the epidemic spreading, Tan Ky District Medical Center has implemented many drastic solutions to control and prevent the spread in the area.
The whole district currently has 1,493 children who have not been vaccinated or have not been fully vaccinated with measles vaccines. Of which, there were 424 children aged 6 to 9 months, 411 children aged 9 months to 5 years and 646 children aged 6 to 10.
Right from the beginning of the year, Tan Ky District Medical Center has advised the District People's Committee to develop a measles prevention and control plan. At the same time, he directed health stations to closely monitor suspected cases, organize epidemiological investigations, and monitor the health of close contacts. Health stations also coordinate with schools to review students who have not been vaccinated or have not been vaccinated enough doses, and encourage parents to vaccinate their children.
Tan Ky district has fully prepared logistics, medicine, equipment, supplies, chemicals; established on-site emergency teams and mobile emergency teams to serve the vaccination campaign. On March 25, 22/22 commune and town health stations in the area simultaneously deployed measles vaccination for 1,437 children out of a total of 1,493 children aged 6 months to 10, reaching a rate of 96.2%.
In addition, communication and health consultation work has also been promoted. The center has conducted more than 50 direct consultations in clinical departments, distributing more than 400 leaflets at health stations and departments to promote disease prevention.
Accelerating vaccination
According to the Nghe An Department of Health, since the beginning of the year, the whole province has recorded 1,628 cases of rash fever suspected of measles. Of which, Ky Son district had the highest number of cases with 764 cases, followed by Vinh city with 242 cases and Tuong Duong district with 201 cases. Some other localities have low cases such as Quy Hop, Thai Hoa, Nghia Dan and Quy Chau.
According to age analysis, the most cases are in the group from 18 months to under 5 years old with 642 cases, accounting for 39.4%. Next is the group from 5 to under 10 years old, accounting for 28%. Children under 6 months old account for 2.1%.
Nghe An Health Sector has treated 1,348 cases, currently there are 280 cases under treatment. Of these, 13 cases were transferred seriously, 5 cases had to be transferred. Notably, there have been no deaths from measles.
Faced with the complicated developments of the epidemic, Nghe An province has launched two measles vaccination campaigns in March. To date, the whole province has vaccinated 42,186 doses of measles vaccine, out of a total of 48,770 subjects, reaching a rate of 86.5%.
Specifically, 10,011 children aged 6 to 9 months have been vaccinated, reaching 72.1%; 12,645 children aged 1 to 5, reaching 96.1%; and 19,350 children aged 6 to 10, reaching 89.9%. In addition, the province also regularly vaccinated 2,611 children aged 9 to 12 months, reaching 71.3%.
Nghe An Health Department continues to direct localities to speed up the progress of measles vaccination in the campaign and expansion program. The goal is to complete on time and achieve an vaccination rate of over 95% for children aged 6 months to 10 years.
The health sector identifies the vaccine as a key solution in preventing and controlling measles. The drastic and synchronous participation from the province to the grassroots level is contributing significantly to controlling and repelling the epidemic, protecting public health.
