(Illustrative photo)

Professor Dang Duc Anh, Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said immunization is an effective and safe preventive measure. He urges local authorities to increase child vaccination coverage to 95% at the communal and ward level and organize mobile vaccination in disadvantaged areas. Mr. Anh said: “Besides having vaccination at communal and ward clinics, we have organized mobile vaccination in remote and difficult places. Medical workers will provide in-home vaccination service there.”

The Ministry of Health has worked with local administrations to enhance communication programs on the benefits of vaccination: reduced medical expenses and lower risk of being infected with a disease.

Families are advised to check children for unusual signs for one or two days after being immunized. If a child develops hives or difficulty breathing, cries a lot, or refuses feeding, he or she should be taken to the nearest medical center.

Tran Dac Phu, Director of the Department For Preventive Health, said: “Parents must closely watch their children for 48 hours to detect any post-immunization allergy. The children should be kept at the medical center for at least half an hour after being injected.”

The Health Ministry said a new 5-in-1 vaccine will be piloted in some localities in May together with the current ComBE Five vaccine to give protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and Hib disease. The new vaccine, produced in India, meets the WHO’s prequalification.