Hanoi proposes measles vaccination for children from 6 to under 9 months old

Since the beginning of 2024, Hanoi has recorded 335 measles cases in 30 districts, towns and cities, including 98 cases under 9 months old (accounting for 29.3%).

Since the beginning of 2024, Hanoi has recorded 335 measles cases in 30 districts, towns and cities, including 98 cases under 9 months old (accounting for 29.3%).

The Hanoi Department of Health has just issued a document proposing that the Ministry of Health agree to vaccinate children from 6 to under 9 months old against measles in the city using vaccines provided by the Ministry of Health.

In early December 2024, the Hanoi Department of Health conducted a measles risk assessment in the city according to the World Health Organization (WHO) measles risk assessment toolkit.

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The results show that the risk of measles outbreaks in the city is at an average level. However, Hanoi is a locality with a high population density and large population movements. This is also where central hospitals receive many measles cases from provinces and cities across the country, so there is always a risk of measles outbreaks.

Meanwhile, according to regulations in the expanded immunization program, measles vaccine is used for children from 9 months old. However, the age group under 9 months is accounting for a high proportion in the city (only after the age group from 1-5 years old).

According to a report by the Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC), from the beginning of 2024 to December 27, the city recorded 335 measles cases in 30 districts, towns, and cities, while there were no cases recorded in the same period last year.

Patients were distributed by age group, including 98 cases under 9 months old (accounting for 29.3%); 57 cases from 9 to 11 months old (accounting for 17%); 115 cases from 1 to 5 years old (accounting for 33.7%); 28 cases from 6 to 10 years old (accounting for 8.4%); 39 cases over 10 years old (accounting for 11.6%).

Hanoi has organized measles vaccination in the expanded immunization program for children from 9 months old, with the rate of children receiving the first dose of measles-containing vaccine being 98.5% and the second dose being 95.6%.

In addition, from October to November 2024, Hanoi launched a measles vaccination campaign for children aged 1-5 who had not received two doses of measles-containing vaccine. As a result, 55,640/61,590 children of the right age were vaccinated (96.3%).

According to WHO, monovalent measles vaccine can be given to children from 6 months to under 9 months of age during outbreaks as an enhanced measure to prevent epidemics.

This vaccine is considered the "measles 0" dose and the child will then continue to be vaccinated with 2 doses of measles vaccine according to the expanded immunization program schedule at 9 months and 18 months of age.

It is known that WHO has sent a document to the Ministry of Health agreeing to add 260,000 doses of measles vaccine for children aged 6 to under 9 months. The Ministry of Health is completing procedures to confirm the aid source to allocate to the provinces that have proposed, thereby promptly vaccinating these young people.

To control the epidemic, Hanoi CDC recommends that people, especially families with young children, follow the measles vaccination schedule.

Children from 9 months of age need to be vaccinated with the first dose, the second dose at 15 - 18 months and the third dose when the child is 4 - 6 years old. For children at high risk or living in an epidemic area, early vaccination from 6 months of age can be considered.

Health experts stress that vaccination not only helps protect children's health but also helps prevent the spread in the community.

Dr. Nguyen Tuan Hai, Safpo/Potec Vaccination System, said that vaccination is the only way to protect children and adults from this potentially dangerous disease. Countries around the world are required to achieve and maintain a coverage rate of over 95% with 2 doses of measles vaccine.

Children and adults need to proactively get vaccinated against measles fully and on schedule to help the body produce specific antibodies against the measles virus, helping to prevent the risk of measles and severe complications, with outstanding effectiveness of up to 98%.

In addition, each person needs to proactively clean their eyes, nose, and throat with antiseptic solution every day, limit gathering in crowded places, avoid close contact with people showing signs of measles or suspected of having the disease, and do not share personal items with people with the disease. Keep your living space clean and supplement foods to help strengthen the immune system.

If you experience symptoms of measles (fever, runny nose, dry cough, red eyes, sensitivity to light, rash all over the body), you should quickly go to the nearest medical center or facility for timely examination and treatment.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/ha-noi-de-xuat-tiem-vac-xin-soi-cho-tre-tu-6-den-duoi-9-thang-tuoi-d237256.html