The vaccination coverage rate reached over 95%
With the close direction of the Government and the coordination of the grassroots health system and education, Vinh Long has basically completed the measles vaccination campaign for children. This effort aims to create a "shield" for community immunity against the complicated developments of the measles epidemic.
According to statistics from the Vinh Long Department of Health, by the end of March 2025, the whole province recorded 360 cases of suspected measles rash fever, an increase of 357 cases compared to the same period in 2024.
Dr. Ho Thi Thu Hang - Director of Vinh Long Department of Health - informed: Determining that vaccination is the most effective measure, up to now, the rate of children aged 6 months - 10 years old vaccinated has reached over 95.5%. This is an important condition to control and prevent the spread of measles.
Vaccination locations at ward, commune and school health stations. The goal is to increase the community immunity rate, proactively prevent epidemics, reduce cases and deaths from measles.
According to Dr. Ho Thi Thu Hang, the provincial health sector strengthens supervision, early detection of cases, deploys effective preventive and quarantine measures, and reviews and organizes catch-up vaccinations and catch-up vaccinations for subjects who have not been vaccinated or have not received enough vaccinations.
At the same time, communication work on the benefits of vaccines, measles and other epidemics has been promoted. People are advised not to be subjective, to take their children to get vaccinated according to schedule.
"Parents and schools need to closely monitor students' health, when detecting signs of suspected illness, they need to take a day off from school, monitor at home and immediately report to medical facilities for timely coordination," Ms. Hang added.
Not negligent, subjective about measles
Talking to Lao Dong, Dr. Tran Chi Cong - Deputy Head of the Department of Pediatrics, Vinh Long General Hospital - said that the symptoms of measles are incubation for 8 - 11 days, then fever, rash from the ears, face spreading to the legs. Children under 6 years old with measles are at high risk of malnutrition. The family needs to proactively get their children vaccinated.
"The measles situation in the province has been complicated since the beginning of the year. On average, the Department of Pediatrics receives about 45 children with measles per month. Notably, most of these children have not been vaccinated," added Dr. Chi Cong.
Ms. Nguyen Kieu Diem (Vinh Long City) shared: "Thanks to the medical staff's detailed explanation of the dangers and the lack of a specific medicine to treat measles, I fully believe in the effectiveness of the vaccine. Vaccination is the best way to protect my child from this disease".
Sharing the same joy when his child was vaccinated against measles, Mr. Tran Van Hung in Long Ho district said that he and his wife are very assured because their child has a solid layer of protection against this dangerous disease.
"This is not only a protection for children but also contributes to building a healthy community, no longer worried about the widespread outbreak of measles," Mr. Hung added.
