With proactive preparation, the campaign was launched simultaneously in across the province starting from March 26, receiving widespread attention and support from the public, ensuring the campaign’s goals are effectively achieved.

Actively implementing vaccination campaign

On March 24, 2025, the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology provided Điện Biên with 25,610 doses of the measles vaccine to implement the vaccination campaign. Of these, 3,550 doses are for measles vaccine for children aged 6 to under 9 months, and 22,060 doses are for measles-rubella vaccines for children aged 1 to 10 years.

Upon receiving the vaccines, the provincial Center for Disease Control distributed the vaccines and materials to all 10 districts and town, and dispatched staff to supervise and assist with the implementation of the campaign in districts and town. At the grassroots level, all localities have received the vaccines and launched vaccination activities; 4 out of 10 units began vaccinating on March 26 at 54 communes, wards, and town, while 6 units started on March 27.

In Điện Biên Phủ city, the measles vaccination campaign started on March 27. Observing a vaccination site in Điện Biên Phủ city, on the first day of the campaign, the screening process for children was conducted seriously. After the vaccination, parents were advised by medical staff to stay for 30 minutes to monitor any reactions in the children.

At the Thanh Bình Ward’s Health Station, due to effective communication, the number of parents bringing their children for vaccination was relatively high. The reception, screening, consultation, vaccination, and post-vaccination monitoring were organized systematically, ensuring a one-way process. Children were sequentially checked for vaccination records, information gathering, temperature measurement, and thorough screening before being vaccinated. If children showed symptoms like diarrhea, cough, fever, or were on antibiotics, medical staff advised against vaccinating them. Prior to the vaccination campaign, a detailed list of target groups was compiled and notified of the schedule and locations for vaccination.

Having a child under 7 months old, Nguyễn Thị Nhung from Thanh Bình Ward brought her baby to get the measles vaccine early. She shared that, after following the news about the measles epidemic in other provinces, she felt very worried. Nhung proactively researched the disease and found that vaccination is the best way to prevent it for children. Thus, when informed by the local health staff about the vaccination schedule, she brought her child to get vaccinated right away.

Hoàng Thị Minh Loan, a public health officer and Head of the Thanh Bình Ward’s Health Station, said that before the vaccination, the station cooperated with population collaborators and school health workers to enhance awareness efforts among the public. They also worked with local authorities to spread information about the benefits of the measles vaccine and the vaccination schedule via loudspeakers, door-to-door communication, and community outreach. This led to a high turnout on the first day of the campaign, with families bringing their children in for vaccination.

In Mường Đun commune (Tủa Chùa district), 8 out of 9 villages have reported cases of measles or are at high risk, with low vaccination rates. From March 26 to 31, the Mường Đun commune’s Health Station is organizing measles vaccinations at schools, village centers, and health facilities.

Dr. Sùng A Sò, Head of the Mường Đun commune’s clinic, mentioned that there are over 800 children aged 6 months to 10 years in the commune who are eligible for the vaccine. To ensure the campaign's objectives are met, all station staff were briefed and provided with relevant information regarding the measles vaccination campaign, including target groups, vaccine storage, dosage, and vaccination techniques, ensuring vaccination safety and managing adverse reactions.

Proactively implementing disease prevention

From November 23, 2024, to March 24, 2025, Điện Biên province recorded 754 measles cases or suspected cases, with the highest numbers found in Tuần Giáo district (316 cases), Tủa Chùa (177 cases), and Nậm Pồ (182 cases). In its determination to combat the epidemic, the provincial People's Committee and the provincial Department of Health have directed localities to proactively implement disease prevention activities based on the actual epidemic situation to ensure effective control. The provincial Department of Health has instructed units to actively monitor and respond to outbreaks. Surveillance is conducted to detect cases of infectious diseases at healthcare facilities, allowing early detection and treatment.

Dr. Phạm Đức Tài, Head of the Infectious Disease Department at the provincial Center for Disease Control, said that to ensure the success of the second round of measles vaccination, the health sector has directed units to investigate target groups, prepare vaccines and materials, train vaccination staff, and assign at least two health workers to each vaccination site. At each site, mobile emergency teams are available, and post-vaccination monitoring is conducted. The goal is to ensure that over 95% of children in the target age group receive the full measles vaccine to boost immunity in the community.

It is expected that the number of measles cases will continue to rise, especially among children with underlying conditions who frequently require hospital treatment. Most cases have not been vaccinated or have not received the full measles vaccine. The health sector urges localities to proactively monitor the situation and implement disease prevention measures early. Local units need to focus on and accelerate the measles vaccination campaign for children aged 6 to under 9 months, aiming to achieve 95% vaccination coverage by March 31, in line with government directives.

Additionally, efforts should be made to strengthen public awareness through media channels to ensure that citizens are informed and bring their children to get vaccinated according to the schedule.