- Measles – Mumps – Rubella are viral diseases that are highly contagious through the respiratory route.
– Measles is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the measles virus. Symptoms include fever, rash, respiratory inflammation, and the appearance of small white spots (Koplik spots) on the oral mucosa. The disease weakens the body’s immune system, leading to complications such as pneumonia, otitis media, and diarrhea caused by secondary bacterial infections. The risk of infection is 100% in individuals without immunity. Measles is one of the leading causes of death in children.
Image: Measles (source: internet)
– Mumps is an acute infectious disease transmitted via the respiratory route, caused by the mumps virus. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, swelling and pain of one or more salivary glands; complications may include orchitis (in males, about 20–30%), oophoritis (in females, about 5%), aseptic meningitis, pancreatitis, arthritis, nephritis, and thyroiditis.
Image: Mumps (source: internet)
– Rubella is an acute infectious disease transmitted via the respiratory route, caused by the rubella virus. Symptoms include mild fever, rash, respiratory inflammation, and swollen lymph nodes in the occipital area, behind the ears, and the neck. Rubella infection in early pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm birth. Congenital Rubella Syndrome (congenital heart defects, deafness, cataracts, developmental delay, etc.) may occur in 70%–90% of infants born to mothers infected with rubella virus during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Image: Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (source: internet)
There is no specific treatment for measles, mumps, and rubella; however, vaccines are available for prevention.
- Epidemiological Situation
Measles Outbreaks
– Currently, measles cases are increasing in many countries around the world, including the Asia–Pacific region. In some countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia, widespread outbreaks of measles have occurred.
– The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed that the risk of a measles outbreak in Vietnam is very high. Urgent measles vaccination campaigns are needed to prevent transmission, especially in areas with outbreaks where it is important to stop the epidemic from spreading widely.
– In Vietnam, from early 2024 to August 11, 2024, compared with the same period in 2023, suspected measles cases were 6.9 times higher, and confirmed positive cases were 22.5 times higher. By December 31, 2024, the country recorded 45,554 suspected measles cases, of which 7,583 were confirmed positive and 16 deaths related to measles.
– On December 4, 2024, the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City held an online conference on the infectious disease situation with 19 southern provinces. As of December 2, 2024, the region had recorded more than 19,000 measles cases, rising sharply with no signs of stopping. In terms of age group, children from 12 months to 10 years accounted for 60%, the highest proportion, and this is the target age group in the measles vaccination campaign.
– The Hanoi Center for Disease Control forecasts that measles cases may rise sharply in the first three months of 2025.
Image: Measles vaccination campaign in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Thao Phuong)
The Ministry of Health has continuously issued directives on measles prevention and control:
– In August 2024, the Ministry of Health issued Decision No. 2495/QD-BYT on the promulgation of the implementation plan for the 2024 measles vaccination campaign. Accordingly, the Ministry developed a plan to conduct the campaign across 135 districts in 18 provinces and cities. The target group for vaccination was children aged 1–10 years.
– In November 2024, the Ministry of Health issued Decision No. 3526/QD-BYT amending and supplementing Decision No. 2495/QD-BYT, thereby expanding the vaccination campaign to 376 districts in 31 provinces and cities.
– In January 2025, the Ministry of Health issued Decision No. 271/QD-BYT on the promulgation of the implementation plan for the 2025 measles vaccination campaign.
Mumps
In Vietnam, mumps is common and may occur year-round, often forming medium to small outbreaks, especially in autumn and winter. Annual incidence ranges from 10 to 40 cases per 100,000 people, with higher rates in northern provinces and the Central Highlands. Although the mortality rate is very low (less than 1 per 100,000), mumps can cause serious complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, or multiple gland inflammations.
Rubella
In 2011–2012, major pediatric hospitals (National Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital 1, and Children’s Hospital 2) recorded more than 300 cases of Congenital Rubella Syndrome with severe congenital abnormalities such as cataracts, hepatosplenomegaly, kernicterus, microcephaly, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, intracranial hemorrhage, and meningitis. Over 80% of these cases involved two or more defects. According to WHO estimates, Vietnam records between 1,267 and 6,145 CRS cases each year.
- Preventive Measures – The Vaccine Shield
– To prevent disease: avoid contact with infected people, wear masks in crowded places, maintain hygiene, wash hands regularly with soap, ensure proper nutrition, and strengthen the immune system.
– Vaccination is the best measure, creating a protective shield to actively prevent disease. The MMR vaccine protects children against measles and also provides immunity against mumps and rubella.
– Measles outbreaks occur in cycles of 4–5 years. Herd immunity is achieved when vaccination coverage exceeds 95%. However, in areas with high population mobility, such as urban centers, it is difficult to ensure vaccination coverage.
- Recommendations for Measles – Mumps – Rubella Vaccination Schedule
CDC (USA) Recommendations for MMR Vaccine
– Basic vaccination schedule:
+ Children should receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine (Measles–Mumps–Rubella), with the first dose administered at 12–15 months of age and the second dose at 4–6 years of age. The second dose may be given earlier as long as at least 28 days have passed since the first dose.
– For travelers:
+ Individuals aged 6 months and older who plan to travel internationally should be protected against measles before any international trip.
+ Infants aged 6–11 months should receive 1 dose of the MMR vaccine. Infants who receive 1 dose of MMR before 12 months of age should still receive 2 additional doses: one at 12–15 months of age and another at least 28 days later.
+ Children aged 12 months and older should receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, at least 28 days apart.
+ Adolescents and adults without evidence of immunity to measles should receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, at least 28 days apart.
MMR vaccine (Serum Institute of India PVT. LTD – S.I.I)
The MMR vaccine is indicated for active immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella in children aged 12 months to 10 years.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends administering the first dose of MMR at 12–15 months of age and the second dose at 4–6 years of age.
- MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine) – robust immune response
The MMR vaccine (S.I.I – India) provides an immune response of 100% against measles, 99.5% against mumps, and 92.6% against rubella. The Leningrad-Zagreb (L-Z) mumps strain achieves superior immunity compared to other vaccines. (Rev Panam Salud Publica/Pan Am J Public Health 20(5), 2006).
The MMR vaccine (S.I.I – India) induces longer-lasting immunity compared to other vaccines (Raut et al, CVI, 2007). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2168128/?utm_source
To meet the demand for measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccination as well as current disease prevention efforts, NAVIVA Group ensures the sufficient supply of MMR vaccines for our valued customers.
For more information, please contact:
- Nam Hung Viet Vaccine & Biological Products JSC
44, Street No.12, Him Lam Urban Area, Tan Hung Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: 028 6266 1234 (5 lines) - Tuong Khue Pharmaceutical JSC
33 Le Lai, Hai Chau District, Da Nang City
Tel: 0236 3538 666 (4 lines) - WINBIO JSC
K7TT1 – SH19, Starlake Urban Area, Xuan La Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
Tel: 024 3795 6789 (3 lines)
NAVIVA GROUP
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