HCMC: 100% of wards, communes and towns meet conditions to declare end of measles epidemic

According to the Department of Health, the city recorded 33 new measles cases last week, down 53.8% compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks. Since the beginning of 2025, the city has had 9,599 measles cases, of which 5,503 were inpatients and 4,096 were outpatients.

Notably, all 273 wards, communes and towns have met the conditions to declare the end of the epidemic; of which, 228 localities have been issued decisions by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to declare the end of the epidemic, the remaining 45 localities are completing procedures.

The measles vaccination campaign for all children aged 1-10 years old plays a key role in controlling the epidemic. By the end of March 2025, the city had administered more than 280,000 doses of measles vaccine, reaching 100% coverage in the 1-5 age group and 99.5% coverage in the 6-10 age group, thereby restoring community immunity and effectively preventing the spread of the disease.

In parallel, medical facilities have set up isolation areas, prepared adequate supplies, equipment and human resources to promptly treat cases. The Ministry of Health has also sent a working group to inspect and highly appreciate the effectiveness of vaccination implementation and measles control in Ho Chi Minh City.

However, the Department of Health warns that the risk of the epidemic returning still exists if epidemic prevention is neglected. A new case can become an outbreak if not detected and handled promptly, especially in areas with fluctuating populations. Therefore, the health sector continues to maintain close epidemiological surveillance and strengthen early detection in communities, schools, and medical facilities.

The city also continues to carry out regular measles vaccinations, catch-up vaccinations for children who have not been fully vaccinated; and encourages vaccinations for older children and adults who have not yet been immunized. Health communication andeducation activities are being promoted to raise awareness of the role of the measles vaccine - a vaccine that is confirmed to be the most effective disease prevention measure.

The Department of Health recommends: “Parents need to proactively take their children to get vaccinated fully and on schedule. When children show signs of fever, rash, cough, runny nose, etc., they need to be quickly taken to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment to prevent dangerous complications.”

THANH SON

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-100-phuong-xa-thi-tran-du-dieu-kien-cong-bo-het-dich-soi-post800289.html