This is an important event that Vietnam has chaired, proposed and promoted, in order to raise global awareness about the importance of preventing and responding promptly to epidemics. This is not only a day to recognize achievements in disease prevention and control but also an opportunity for the world to review the efforts of countries in protecting public health.
December 27 was chosen as International Day for Disease Prevention and Control because this is also the birthday of scientist Louis Pasteur, who is considered the father of preventive medicine and one of the first inventors of vaccines. Choosing his birthday is not only a tribute to Pasteur's great contributions but also a reminder of the importance of science in the fight against infectious diseases.
Vietnam, with a proactive and internationally responsible spirit, has called on countries to invest in disease response readiness, stopping emergency situations from happening beyond control. Investing in healthcare is not just a spending item but an effective investment, helping to minimize future costs when an epidemic occurs. This is reflected in long-term strategies to improve the capacity of the health system, creating a strong, flexible and sustainable disease prevention and control system.
Most recently, information: From 2026, the Ministry of Health will vaccinate children for cervical cancer and pneumococcal cancer for free, in order to immunize and reduce the burden of costs for people.
According to leaders of the Ministry of Health, "Complementing pneumococcal and HPV vaccines is an important step to expand immune coverage, reduce the burden of disease and towards the goal that by 2030, the vaccination rate will reach 95% according to the Government's orientation". According to the roadmap, the health sector will start small-scale pneumococcal vaccination from the first quarter of 2026. Based on data on children under 1 year old in 2025, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology plans to deploy it first in localities such as Bac Kan, Lang Son, Quang Nam, Dak Nong, Soc Trang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Son La and Quang Ngai.
International Day of Preparedness to Combat Epidemics is not only a reminder but also refers to the responsibility of nations, of each citizen in striving towards a life not threatened by epidemics.
