On March 15, 2025, the Vietnam Ministry of Health organized a national online conference aimed at addressing the growing measles crisis affecting the nation. From the start of the year until mid-March, there have been approximately 40,000 suspected measles cases reported, five of which resulted in fatalities across the regions of Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Binh Phuoc. This alarming increase marks a significant rise compared to the 111 cases recorded during the same period last year, with more than half of the new cases originating from southern Vietnam, accounting for 57% of the total.
During the conference, Hoàng Minh Đức, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, shared data indicating the predominant age group affected by these measles cases is children aged 9 months to under 15 years, making up 72.7% of reported cases. Meanwhile, minors under six months also represent 5.4% of cases, with another 9.9% of cases for children aged 6 to 9 months—these two groups fall below the vaccination age.
The available statistics also reveal concerning insights about vaccination statuses: approximately 90.8% of those diagnosed with measles had not been vaccinated, 4.9% had unknown vaccination histories, and only 4.3% had received at least one dose of the vaccine. This prompts serious questions about the public health responses and the efficacy of vaccination campaigns launched since September 2024, which have targeted children and health workers across 31 provinces.
Indications suggest, as much as the situation is showing signs of stabilization, the Ministry of Health asserted the relentless pace of measles transmission demands continued vigilance. Minister Đào Hồng Lan stressed the urgency during the conference by stating, "Bệnh sởi lây truyền rất nhanh qua đường hô hấp...", referring to the high contagion rate whereby one infected person can transmit the virus to between 12 and 18 others.
She elaborated on the importance of community immunity, underscoring the necessity for at least 95% vaccination coverage to effectively curtail the spread of measles. This challenge is pronounced especially within low vaccination regions, particularly mountainous areas where access to healthcare services is restricted, heightening the probability of outbreak escalation amid vulnerable demographics.
Internationally, the WHO has also sounded alarms about the surge of measles outbreaks due to dire vaccination rates, with the virus re-emerging across multiple countries, highlighting how the last five years have seen outbreaks in 103 countries. Such conditions underline two major global health crises intertwined—the decreasing vaccination rates and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused skepticism surrounding vaccine efficacy among certain populations.
Public health officials are particularly worried about the sentiments of vaccine skepticism among sections of the population, often referred to as "anti-vaccine" movements where some individuals are unwilling to get their children vaccinated. With such alarming trends noted, Minister Lan noted action is imperative, calling for intensified efforts across sectors—not limited to health care—to mobilize resources, prepare necessary equipment for emergency situations, and continuously monitor disease progression.
Regional health coordinators have taken the stance to accelerate vaccination drives, particularly focusing on children aged 1-10, highlighting the gaps and ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with measles.
The Ministry is advocating immediate actions to close the vaccination gap before disease spreads more widely. By the end of March 2025, health administrators aim to complete this phase of vaccination campaigns, urging local health departments to adapt vaccination approaches to their communities. This includes mobile clinics, out-of-hours immunizations, and engaging local leaders to advocate for vaccine trust as part of broader public health messaging.
Vietnam stands at a crossroads, needing to bolster both public confidence and health system preparedness to avert the surging tide of preventable diseases, particularly those where vaccines historically reduced incidents drastically since they were introduced to the region decades ago. Effective communication strategies, rapid-response plans, and established community networks will be pivotal as the country confronts these challenges head-on.
By leveraging historical vaccination successes as foundations for public health initiatives, advocates push for collective responsibility to protect current and future generations from outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, ensuring every child receives the necessary protection against measles.