42 measles cases reported in Vietnam since early this yr

Hanoi, Mar 20 Vietnam reported 42 cases of measles and suspected measles in 13 provinces and cities since early this year, local media reported Wednesday, citing the Ministry of Health.
No concentrated outbreaks have been recorded so far.
The ministry has urged local authorities to strengthen supervision to early diagnose infections in the community and healthcare facilities and prevent any outbreak right after the cases are detected.
According to the World Health Organization, Vietnam’s vaccination coverage in recent years has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine supply’s interruption in the 2023 expanded program on immunization.
The fact that many children have not been vaccinated on schedule or not received enough doses in recent years has posed risks of many diseases including measles.
Nine-month-old children must receive measles vaccine while 18-month-old children must be injected with measles-rubella vaccine, the health ministry warned.