This supply can be immediately distributed to localities, contributing to the rapid implementation of the measles vaccination campaign in accordance with the Prime Minister’s directive, said MoH Nguyen Thi Lien Huong said at the ceremony.

She expressed gratitude to VNVC for its support and hoped that the company would continue to accompany the MoH in vaccination efforts across Vietnam.

She also instructed relevant units, including the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and the Pasteur Institutes to ensure that the vaccines are used appropriately, safely, and effectively, avoiding overlap or duplication, and complying with current professional regulations.

The Prime Minister issued Directive No. 23/CĐ-TTg on March 15, 2025, urging the acceleration of measles vaccination to swiftly control the outbreak and prevent its widespread transmission. The directive instructs the MoH to ensure an adequate supply of measles vaccines and promptly distribute them to localities for effective implementation of the Expanded Immunization Programme.

Since the beginning of 2025, Vietnam has recorded approximately 40,000 suspected measles cases and five measles-related deaths. The highest number of infections was reported in the southern region (57%), followed by the central region (19.2%), the northern region (15.1%), and the Central Highlands (8.7%).

Most cases involve individuals who were either not vaccinated, did not receive the full vaccination doses, or were not yet eligible for vaccination under the Expanded Immunization Programme.

Alongside enhancing routine immunization, a measles vaccination campaign for children aged 1-10 years has been implemented since September 2024 in 31 provinces and cities. To date, 28 out of 31 provinces and cities have completed phase 1 of the campaign, while three are continuing supplementary and catch-up vaccinations.

Early this year, the MoH decided to expand the campaign to include children aged 6-9 months in 24 provinces and cities, as well as an additional 17 provinces for the 1-10 age group. Thus, the measles vaccination campaign has now been implemented in 45 provinces and cities.

Measles spreads faster than COVID-19, over 95% vaccine coverage needed to curb outbreak

VOV.VN - A national online conference on measles prevention and control was held in Hanoi on March 15, warning of the rapid spread of the disease and the urgent need for widespread vaccination.