Vietnam demonstrates significant advancement in children's vaccination programs
In a significant stride towards public health, Vietnam has successfully surpassed its 2019 immunisation coverage rates for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and measles vaccines in 2024. This remarkable achievement, attributed to strong leadership, effective vaccine distribution, active community engagement, and targeted vaccination campaigns, was the focus of a recent roundtable discussion in Hanoi, organised by the Vietnam Medical Association in collaboration with GSK Vietnam Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
The Vietnamese government played a pivotal role by providing strong leadership and oversight, ensuring that immunisation efforts were well-coordinated across different levels of administration. Maintaining a timely supply of vaccines was also essential, with this helping to ensure that vaccines were available when needed, which is critical for maintaining high coverage rates.
The concerted efforts of health workers, parents, and communities were also vital. Health workers carried out extensive immunisation campaigns, while parents and communities supported these efforts by getting their children vaccinated. Specific campaigns, such as the 2024-2025 measles vaccination campaign, which vaccinated nearly 1.3 million children, contributed to the increased coverage rates.
Vietnam's ability to recover and surpass pre-pandemic vaccination rates reflects its resilience and commitment to public health. However, it's important to note that approximately 27,000 children in Vietnam missed their first dose of the measles vaccine, and small declines in coverage can lead to dangerous outbreaks and place additional strain on the health system.
Local authorities should be supported to implement tailored strategies that reach the most vulnerable populations. The WUENIC data emphasises the importance of local leadership, domestic financing, and integrated primary healthcare in achieving immunisation agenda goals. Geographic barriers, limited access to services in remote or underserved areas, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are factors contributing to children remaining un- or under-vaccinated.
The Vietnam Administration of Disease Prevention and Sanofi-Aventis Vietnam recently signed an MoU, marking a new step forward in efforts to prevent and control diseases and improve the health of the Vietnamese people. Moreover, private healthcare providers should be encouraged to recommend and administer all routine immunizations.
In recognition of its commitment to social and environmental responsibility, global consumer healthcare company Opella has achieved B Corp certification, meeting rigorous standards set by B Lab. Dr. Jennifer Horton, WHO deputy representative in Vietnam, attributed the improvement to these efforts, praising Vietnam's achievement as a powerful reflection of its commitment to child health and primary healthcare system strength. Dr. Nguyen Huy Du, acting chief of child survival and development at UNICEF Vietnam, echoed this sentiment, praising Vietnam's efforts as a testament to its commitment to child health and the strength of its primary healthcare system.
[1] Vietnam Medical Association (2024). Roundtable Discussion on Adult Immunisation and Shingles Prevention. Hanoi, Vietnam. [2] UNICEF Vietnam (2024). Immunization Coverage in Vietnam Rebounds to High Levels. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/immunization-coverage-vietnam-rebounds-high-levels [3] World Health Organization (2024). WHO and UNICEF Urge Efforts to Catch Up with Children Missing Out on Vaccines in Vietnam. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/vietnam/news/item/2024-wuenc-urge-efforts-to-catch-up-with-children-missing-out-on-vaccines-in-vietnam
Health workers, parents, and communities are crucial in ensuring the success of vaccine campaigns, as demonstrated by the large number of children vaccinated during the 2024-2025 measles vaccination campaign. Moving forward, science and health-and-wellness are intertwined, as the country aims to maintain high immunisation coverage rates and address geographic barriers to vaccination services, particularly in remote or underserved areas.
