Vietnam Measles Crisis Worsens with Over Forty Thousand Suspected Cases Nationwide, 1,603 Children in ICU and 5 Deaths!

Medical News: Vietnam is currently facing a fast-spreading health crisis as a nationwide measles outbreak surges across all regions of the country. As of March 22, 2025, health authorities have recorded a shocking 42,488 suspected cases of measles, with 4,027 cases confirmed and five deaths. What is even more alarming is that the vast majority of those infected - more than 95 percent - are individuals who were either never vaccinated or whose vaccination status remains unclear. Children between the ages of 9 months and 15 years account for the bulk of the cases, putting the nation’s youngest citizens at the greatest risk.


Vietnam Measles Crisis Worsens with Over Forty Thousand Suspected Cases Nationwide,
1,603 Children in ICU and 5 Deaths!

The outbreak is proving most severe in the southern part of the country, which alone accounts for 54.9 percent of all suspected cases. The central region follows with 20 percent, the north with 16.4 percent, and the Central Highlands with 8.7 percent. Major urban centers like Ho Chi Minh City are being hit especially hard, reporting 3,396 cases so far. Nationwide,1,603 children are currently in ICU due to measles. This Medical News report will explore how the spread of measles has exposed dangerous gaps in Vietnam’s vaccination coverage and how the government is responding to contain the crisis.
 
Measles Cases Surpass Last Year’s Numbers by Over 380 Times
The current measles situation in Vietnam represents an explosive increase compared to the same time last year. In early 2024, the nation had recorded only 111 measles cases. Now, just one year later, that figure has ballooned to tens of thousands. The most heavily affected provinces include Ha Giang, which has reported 6,017 cases, and southern provinces such as Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Binh Phuoc, which have also experienced fatalities.
 
Dr Hoang Minh Duc from the Ministry of Health has voiced concern over the rapid spread and warned that while some areas appear to be stabilizing, the outbreak remains unpredictable. He stressed that communities with low vaccination rates, particularly those in remote mountainous regions, are especially vulnerable due to limited access to healthcare infrastructure.
 
Mass Vaccination Campaign Launched Nationwide
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health has launched a massive immunization drive targeting 45 provinces. The campaign is utilizing 1.5 million doses of measles vaccines provided by the World Health Organization, along with additional supplies purchased locally. Children between 6 to 9 months of age and those aged 1 to 10 years are being prioritized, especially those living in hard-to-reach areas or whose vaccination histories are unknown.
 
The campaign also aims to close immunization gaps that have persisted for years and may have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic when routine childhood vaccinations were disrupted. Authorities are working to identify children who slipped through the cracks and ensure they are quickly vaccinated .
 
Mobile Vaccination Teams and Community Outreach
To reach populations in remote or underserved areas, mobile vaccination units have been deployed. These teams are traveling directly to rural villages and conducting door-to-door vaccinations. The Ministry of Health is also encouraging local governments to promote home vaccinations, especially for families with infants or those unable to access transportation to healthcare centers.
 
In addition, experienced medical personnel are being sent to support rural clinics, and digital tools such as social media are being used to provide real-time updates, public health education, and support to local health workers. Authorities are urging parents and guardians to bring their children in for vaccinations immediately and not wait until symptoms appear.
 
Coordinated Government Strategy Underway
A comprehensive strategy to control the outbreak was launched under government directive 23/CD-TTg on March 15, 2025. This directive calls for robust epidemic monitoring, resource mobilization, and efficient treatment protocols.
 
Local health departments have been tasked with conducting regular assessments of high-risk areas and coordinating closely with epidemiological institutes.

The government has emphasized three main pillars in its outbreak response: targeted vaccination campaigns, training and support for frontline healthcare professionals, and rigorous monitoring of new and suspected cases. These steps are designed not only to bring the current outbreak under control but also to strengthen Vietnam’s overall public health preparedness for the future.

COVID Era Lessons Applied to Current Crisis
Vietnam’s experience with COVID-19 has shaped many of the current response strategies. Techniques such as contact tracing, rapid response units, zonal lockdowns, and aggressive public awareness campaigns are once again being utilized. Health officials have indicated that successful elements from previous COVID-19 vaccination efforts are being adapted to combat the measles outbreak, especially in terms of reaching communities with low healthcare access.

Dr Hoang Minh Duc stressed the importance of continued preparedness. “We need to ensure hospitals are equipped to handle increased admissions, especially for children, and that strict infection control measures are implemented to avoid further spread,” he said.
 
Unvaccinated Populations Still at Highest Risk
With nearly all infections occurring in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated individuals, the message from health experts is clear - vaccination is the only reliable defense against measles. Health authorities are urging the public to verify vaccination records and ensure all eligible children are protected immediately. In areas where herd immunity has broken down, even a single unvaccinated person can trigger a cluster of new infections.
 
Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Long Term Impact
The outbreak is not just a temporary health scare - it threatens to undo years of public health progress in Vietnam. Officials warn that unless swift and comprehensive action is taken, measles could become a recurring issue, putting millions of children at long-term risk. The Ministry of Health is committed to finishing the current vaccination campaign by the end of March 2025 and will continue to monitor the national situation closely.
 
Conclusion
Vietnam’s escalating measles outbreak has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the country’s vaccination system and healthcare delivery, especially for children and remote communities. While the government’s rapid response has been commendable, the scale of the outbreak underscores the dangers of incomplete immunization and the consequences of gaps in public health infrastructure. Long-term success will depend on continued coordination, sustained education campaigns, and ensuring that every child in every province receives their full course of measles vaccinations. As the crisis unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that vaccination is not just a health measure - it is a vital shield protecting the lives of the nation's youngest and most vulnerable citizens. Vietnam’s future health security depends on how well it can learn from this outbreak and build a more resilient healthcare system that leaves no one behind.
 
Media References:
https://en.sggp.org.vn/ministry-urges-local-authorities-to-prevent-measles-post116514.html
 
https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1694332/ministry-of-health-issues-guidelines-for-effective-measles-prevention.html
 
https://en.vietnamplus.vn/ministry-of-health-receives-500000-doses-of-measles-vaccine-post311723.vnp
 
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