The number of measles cases in 2024 increased more than 130 times compared to the previous year.

The number of suspected measles rash cases is 38,364, an increase of more than 94 times compared to 2023. Some provinces and cities with a high number of suspected measles rash cases are: Dong Nai (6,360), Ho Chi Minh City (4,758), Binh Duong (4,745), Ca Mau (2,405).

According to the Ministry of Health , the reasons for the increase in measles and some vaccine-preventable infectious diseases are low vaccination rates, community immunity is not at the level to prevent the spread and outbreak of epidemics; disruption of global vaccine supply after the Covid-19 pandemic; prolonged procedures for purchasing, bidding, and ordering vaccines; difficulties in disease prevention in managing vaccination subjects; anti-vaccination phenomena, and refusal to vaccinate children among a segment of the population, especially in large cities.

Parents take their children to get vaccinated against measles and rubella at the Medical Station in Ward 3, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City.

In Hanoi, facing the reality that many measles cases are children under 9 months old (before the age of vaccination), the Hanoi Department of Health has proposed that the Ministry of Health agree to deploy measles vaccination for children from 6 months to under 9 months old in the city, using vaccines supplied by the Ministry of Health.

Currently, 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 high in Hanoi and many children get measles before vaccination age.

According to statistics from the Hanoi Department of Health, in 2024, the entire city recorded 259 cases of measles. The group with the highest rate was children aged 1-5 years old with 85 cases (32.8%). Next was the group under 9 months old with 75 cases (29%). The group aged 9-11 months old accounted for 18.1%...

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the single measles vaccine can be given to children from 6 months to under 9 months old during epidemics as a measure to strengthen epidemic prevention. This vaccine is considered as the "measles 0" dose and then the child continues to be vaccinated with 2 doses of measles vaccine according to the schedule of the expanded immunization program at 9 months and 18 months of age.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/so-ca-soi-nam-2024-tang-hon-130-lan-so-voi-nam-truoc-185241230193329226.htm