
Nationwide immunisation drive ramps up amid measles outbreak risk
The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent directive for stricter measles control, as cases continue to rise nationwide, surpassing 2024 figures in the first quarter of 2025.
The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent directive for stricter measles control, as cases continue to rise nationwide, surpassing 2024 figures in the first quarter of 2025.
Vietnam has recorded nearly 40,000 suspected measles cases and five measles-related deaths since the beginning of this year. The southern region reported the highest number of cases (57%), the central region accounted for 19.2%, the north 15.1%, and the Central Highlands 8.7%.
Vietnam has recorded just 912 flu cases nationwide so far this year, a staggering 97% drop compared to the same period last year, which saw 34,442 cases.
In 2024, Vietnam reported more than 45,550 suspected measles cases, including 7,583 confirmed infections and 16 deaths linked to the disease.
Given the highly contagious nature of measles and its dependency on vaccination coverage, timely immunisation efforts are essential.
Vietnam has recorded 6,725 cases of measles since the beginning of 2024, a 130-fold increase over 2023, according to the Ministry of Health.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 14 urged ministries, agencies and localities to strengthen measles prevention and control measures, given an uptrend recorded in several localities.
Cambodia launched a measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign nationwide on October 31 to protect over 1.5 million children under five years old.
Ho Chi Minh City will kick off a measles vaccination campaign at all medical stations in the 22 districts, and Thu Duc city from August 31 .
Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee on August 27 declared a measles outbreak across the city due to a rapid increase in cases.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, on August 22 launched a campaign to provide 1,134,200 doses of vaccine against measles, funded by the Australian Government, for Vietnamese children in 2024, given the risk of a measles outbreak in the world, including Vietnam.