Measles cases increase in children under 9 months old, Ministry of Health approves "zero dose" vaccine

The Ministry of Health has officially approved the implementation of measles vaccination for children from 6 months to under 9 months old in Ho Chi Minh City. This decision was made to strengthen epidemic prevention measures during the current peak period. Since the beginning of the epidemic season, the number of measles patients under 9 months old has been recorded at 349 children, accounting for 24% of the total number of cases, especially in the group from 6 to under 9 months old.

The Ministry of Health has just decided to deploy the "zero" measles vaccine to control the increasing number of children under 9 months old infected with measles (illustrative photo).

The measles vaccination campaign for children aged 1-10 years has contributed to a decrease in the number of cases in this age group. However, the surveillance system recorded an increase in the number of new cases in the age group under 9 months.

This is a young age group, not old enough to be vaccinated against measles under the expanded immunization program, while maternal antibodies may have decreased below protective levels.

Faced with that reality, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has sent a document to the Ministry of Health recommending measles vaccination for children of this age.

According to the World Health Organization, the monovalent measles vaccine can be given to children aged 6 to under 9 months during outbreaks as an enhanced anti-epidemic measure. This vaccine is considered the "Measles 0" dose 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.

The Ministry of Health also directed the City Health Department to develop a detailed plan to ensure the vaccination rate reaches at least 95% in communes and wards and comply with safety measures.

Relevant units will conduct close monitoring to ensure no subjects are missed, especially young children in hospital.

Measles vaccine for children from 6 to under 9 months is the vaccine used in the expanded immunization program. Measles vaccination for children from 6 to under 9 months will be implemented by the city to ensure safety.

Ho Chi Minh City will continue to review and implement a measles vaccination campaign for children aged 1-10 in the area, 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 Department recommends that parents and family members proactively take their children to vaccination points to get vaccinated against measles.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/tang-ca-mac-soi-duoi-9-thang-tuoi-bo-y-te-phe-duyet-tiem-vaccine-mui-0-192241107151655415.htm