On November 22, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health reported that in week 46 (November 11-17), the total number of measles cases in Ho Chi Minh City was 211, an increase of 43.5% compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks, including 127 inpatient cases (an increase of 26.1%) and 84 outpatient cases (an increase of 81.6%). Accumulated from the beginning of the year, the number of measles cases in the city is 1,858, including 3 deaths.
In addition, the number of cases from other provinces treated at 4 hospitals in the city last week also increased with 419 cases (up 31.1% compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks). Since the beginning of the year, the cumulative number of measles cases from other provinces treated in Ho Chi Minh City is 3,052 cases.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, the measles vaccination campaign for children aged 1-10 has contributed to reducing the number of cases in this age group. However, the surveillance system recorded an increase in the number of new cases in children aged 6 to under 9 months. This is a young age group, long too old to be vaccinated against measles under the expanded immunization program, while antibodies passed from the mother may have decreased below the protective level.
Since the beginning of the year, the number of patients aged 6 to under 9 months is 306 children (accounting for 17% of the total number of cases). The City Center for Disease Control also recorded an increase in the number of new measles cases in children aged 9 to under 12 months (204 children, accounting for 11% of the total number of cases).
In response to the increase in new measles cases, after receiving approval from the Ministry of Health, Ho Chi Minh City is implementing a measles vaccination campaign for children from 6 months to under 9 months old. As a result, after 1 week of cumulative vaccination up to November 19, Ho Chi Minh City has vaccinated 3,043 doses for children in this age group.
The vaccine used for children is a single vaccine in the expanded immunization program. The vaccination work is being implemented by the city to ensure safety.
According to the World Health Organization, monovalent measles vaccine can be given to children from 6 to under 9 months of age during outbreaks as an enhanced anti-epidemic measure. This vaccine is considered as “measles 0” and then the child continues to be vaccinated with 2 doses of measles vaccine according to the Expanded Immunization Program schedule at 9 months and 18 months of age.
In addition, the city continues to review and implement a measles vaccination campaign for children aged 1-10 in the city, as well as deploy vaccines in the expanded immunization program for those who have not been vaccinated or have not been fully vaccinated. The health sector recommends that parents and family members proactively take their children to vaccination sites to get vaccinated against measles.
