Vietnam launches measles vaccine campaign in 18 localities

HANOI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) — Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has launched a campaign to provide measles vaccines for children in 100 districts and towns of 18 localities at a high risk of outbreaks, local media reported Friday.
Based on the World Health Organization’s assessment toolkit, the ministry has assessed the risk of measles outbreaks in 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam and decided to deploy the vaccination campaign.
Vaccines are provided free of charge for children aged one to ten, along with medical staff at risk at medical examination and treatment facilities and those who have not had the required number of vaccinations as prescribed, Vietnam News Agency reported.
According to the ministry’s Department of Preventive Medicine, Vietnam has reported over 2,000 measles cases since early this year.
The southern hub Ho Chi Minh City logged more than 500 cases and three fatalities. ■