Ministry of Health of Vietnam requests to intensify Measles prevention and control efforts

Ministry of Health of Vietnam requests to intensify Measles prevention and control efforts (Image from the Internet)

On November 22, 2024, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam issued Official Dispatch 7227/BYT-DP regarding the intensifying of Measles prevention and control efforts.

Ministry of Health of Vietnam requests to intensify Measles prevention and control efforts

Pursuant to Decision 2495/QD-BYT dated August 22, 2024, by the Ministry of Health of Vietnam concerning the plan for implementing the 2024 Measles vaccination campaign, and Official Dispatch 4992/BYT-DP dated August 23, 2024, concerning the implementation of Measles vaccinations, provinces and cities have proactively rolled out the Measles vaccination campaign and regularly assessed outbreak risks to propose supplementary campaigns. To date, over 961,793 children have been vaccinated against Measles in this campaign across 31 provinces and cities. However, some regions have not met the campaign’s progress requirements.

In accordance with Official Telegram 116/CD-TTg dated November 14, 2024, from the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam regarding strengthening Measles prevention efforts, the Ministry of Health respectfully requests the People's Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities to continue directing units to perform the following tasks:

- Continue closely monitoring and supervising the epidemic situation locally; regularly assess outbreak risks; proactively detect Measles cases early to thoroughly contain outbreaks, preventing further spread or escalation; effectively manage patient admission, emergency care, and treatment to minimize severe cases and fatalities; enhance staff training, elevate surveillance and treatment capabilities at all levels according to the Ministry of Health's guidance; strictly enforce infection control regulations to prevent cross-infection and outbreak occurrences in healthcare facilities. Cooperate closely with neighboring localities, share, and update outbreak information and effectively implement Measles control measures.

- Urgently review subjects, organize catch-up vaccinations for children who have not been vaccinated or not fully vaccinated under the Expanded Immunization Program, especially in areas at risk of Measles outbreak or with low immunization rates, disadvantaged areas, and ethnic minority communities; accelerate the 2024 Measles vaccination campaign as per the Ministry of Health’s guidance outlined in Decision 2495/QD-BYT dated August 22, 2024.

- Continue to promote and encourage public adherence to Measles prevention measures and ensure complete, timely vaccinations as per health sector guidelines; instruct the public to immediately visit healthcare facilities when symptoms appear for examination, consultation, and prompt treatment.

- Guide educational institutions, especially preschools and kindergartens, in implementing Measles prevention activities; daily monitor the health status of students, teachers, staff, promptly detect Measles cases and notify healthcare facilities...

- Intensify the directive for media, press, and local communication systems on Measles and preventive measures. Develop messages, communication materials, and depict the benefits of timely and complete vaccination in languages suitable for the region.

- Increase investment, support resource allocation for the healthcare system to ensure adequate infrastructure, funding, equipment... to support the expanded immunization, epidemic vaccination efforts as per regulations.

- Strictly report promptly and comprehensively all disease cases, outbreaks on the Infectious Disease Surveillance Management System following Circular 54/2015/TT-BYT dated December 28, 2015, of the Ministry of Health regarding the policy guidance on reporting and declaring infectious diseases and outbreaks.

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