To strengthen the prevention and control of measles and pertussis infections in healthcare facilities in Vietnam

To strengthen the prevention and control of measles and pertussis infections in healthcare facilities in Vietnam (Image from the internet)

On July 11, 2024, the Ministry of Health (Hanoi, Vietnam) issued Official Dispatch 3935/BYT-KCB regarding the strengthening of prevention and control of measles and pertussis infections in healthcare facilities in Vietnam.

To strengthen the prevention and control of measles and pertussis infections in healthcare facilities in Vietnam

Currently, the situation of measles and pertussis in some provinces and cities is complex. To ensure safety and minimize the risk of infection and outbreak of measles and pertussis in healthcare facilities, the Ministry of Health (Hanoi, Vietnam) requests:

(1) Departments of Health of provinces and centrally affiliated cities, and Health sectors

- Develop plans for measles and pertussis prevention and control and implement activities to prevent and control measles and pertussis in the province, including vaccination activities.

- Direct preventive healthcare units to promptly monitor and detect new cases, investigate and identify sources of infection, organize containment and handle measles and pertussis outbreaks.

- Direct affiliated hospitals to effectively manage the admission of measles and pertussis patients; promptly treat to minimize severe cases and fatalities. Strictly comply with regulations on infection control to avoid cross-infection and emergence of measles and pertussis outbreaks in healthcare facilities as per (2).

- Implement a robust vaccination plan for measles and pertussis in 2024 and ensure regular monthly vaccinations for subjects under the Expanded Immunization Program.

- Collaborate closely with the Department of Information and Communications, media agencies, press, and grassroots communication systems to advise and guide the public on preventive measures and ensure full vaccination for measles and pertussis.

- Direct healthcare units to fully report information on cases and outbreaks on the Online Infectious Disease Surveillance Management System as per Circular 54/2015/TT-BYT; vaccination units in the province must strictly follow vaccination management regulations and fully update subjects on the immunization information management platform.

- Conduct a thorough review to ensure logistics, funding, medications, biological products, supplies, chemicals, vaccines for disease prevention, equipment, manpower... to serve routine vaccination and disease prevention activities as per the 4-on-the-spot principle.

(2) Healthcare facilities affiliated with the Ministry of Health and universities

* Be prepared for epidemic response conditions

- Streamline the epidemic prevention and control steering committee of the unit.

- Prepare plans for epidemic prevention and response according to the scale and level of the epidemic.

- Issue guidelines and response procedures when infectious or suspected infectious cases come for consultation, including procedures for triaging, screening, isolating, and transferring the infected to the treatment area.

- Be ready with treatment or temporary isolation areas for infected or suspected measles and pertussis patients according to the scale and directives of local authorities and healthcare management agencies.

- Conduct epidemic investigation immediately upon the first measles or pertussis case.

- Ensure sufficient personal protective equipment for healthcare workers involved in direct consultation, treatment, and care of infected or suspected measles and pertussis cases.

* Case screening and isolation

Enhance screening activities, early detection, and prompt isolation of infected or suspected measles and pertussis cases in healthcare facilities; Mild, uncomplicated cases can be guided for home or local health station isolation and treatment.

* Vaccination

Support healthcare workers and patients in contact with infected or suspected measles and pertussis cases to assess immunity status and complete vaccination.

* Strict compliance with infection control measures

- Implement standard precautionary measures combined with transmission-based precautions when detecting infected or suspected measles and pertussis cases.

- Enhance the inspection, monitoring, and support to ensure compliance with infection prevention and control regulations and procedures by healthcare workers, patients, and their families.

* Information and education

- Strengthen communication measures on infection prevention, detection, and handling of suspected measles and pertussis cases for healthcare workers, the community, and healthcare facilities.

- Train healthcare workers on screening, consultation, treatment, care, and infection control of measles and pertussis to be ready in case of an outbreak in healthcare facilities.

- Direct localities to intensify communication, implement, and manage measles and pertussis vaccination for children; review and ensure adequate vaccine supply.

* Coordination in epidemic prevention and control

- Organize tight coordination with local, regional, and national healthcare agencies to update information on measles and pertussis.

- Implement surveillance and control measures as per regulations.

- Promptly and fully report information on measles and pertussis cases in the unit as per regulations.

More details can be found in Official Dispatch 3935/BYT-KCB issued on July 11, 2024.

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