HCMC: 95% of children aged 1-5 years old are fully vaccinated against measles

Figures show that the coverage rate of two doses of measles vaccine for children aged 1-5 in Ho Chi Minh City has reached 95%. However, this is only a theoretical figure, and there are still children who miss out on vaccinations.

On October 1, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health announced that 204,423 injections had been administered in the 1-month measles vaccination campaign in the city. Of these, 42,049 were for children aged 1-5, 140,886 were for children aged 6-10, and 21,488 were for other groups. Last week, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 111 measles cases, an increase of 25.8% compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks. Cumulatively, the city has recorded 846 measles cases since the beginning of the year.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health assessed that by the end of September 30, the city had basically completed the goal of the vaccination campaign. According to the results of the review on the National Immunization System, the coverage rate of 2 doses of measles vaccine for children aged 1-5 in Ho Chi Minh City has reached 95.09% (including the number of children fully vaccinated before the campaign). This result will help control measles in the city, making it unlikely to become a large outbreak.

Children are vaccinated in the measles vaccination campaign in Ho Chi Minh City.

This is the result of the efforts of the health sector, education sector, People's Committees of districts and Thu Duc City, and local departments and organizations. The work of screening children, communicating, and organizing safe vaccinations has been seriously and continuously implemented. The measles vaccination campaign mobilizes the participation of the private vaccination system, helping to increase the number of vaccination points, making it easier for parents to take their children for vaccinations even on holidays.

However, recently, the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) conducted a survey of 504 children aged 1-5 in areas with a large immigrant population such as Binh Chanh District, Binh Tan District, Hoc Mon District, District 12, Thu Duc City. The results showed that 31% of children are living in the area but registered on the system elsewhere (in other provinces, cities or in other districts, wards and communes in Ho Chi Minh City). The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health assessed that if only checking from the National Immunization Information System to invite children to get vaccinated, about 30% of children in the area may be missed.

In addition, 135/504 children were eligible for the measles vaccination campaign, but only 54% were vaccinated during this period. Therefore, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health believes that the actual vaccination coverage rate has not reached the theoretical 95% protection threshold. The number of measles cases will decrease slowly and clusters of cases may appear in areas with low vaccination rates.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health requested the People's Committees of districts, towns, and Thu Duc City to direct units to: Continue to "go to every alley, knock on every door, check every subject" to detect newly displaced children, update the list and invite children to be vaccinated; do not leave any unvaccinated children in the area. At the same time, strengthen propaganda and mobilize families to take their children to be vaccinated according to the expanded immunization schedule; Communicate to families with children aged 1-10 years old (regardless of permanent or temporary residence) who have not received enough doses of vaccine, contact the local health station, school, and private facility to take their children to be vaccinated immediately.

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Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-95-tre-tu-1-5-tuoi-duoc-tiem-du-mui-vaccine-soi-post761605.html