combating an increasing number of whooping cough cases in Ho Chi Minh City: Prioritizing vaccinations and identifying unvaccinated children

Efforts to combat an increasing number of whooping cough cases in Ho Chi Minh City are being ramped up by the health sector, with vaccinations, catch-up vaccinations, and identification of unvaccinated children being prioritized. Children’s Hospital 2 reported that one-third of pediatric whooping cough patients require oxygen support, and some have developed complications such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis.

Whooping cough is a respiratory infection that primarily affects young children and is transmitted through the respiratory tract. In Vietnam, the disease is endemic, with outbreaks being especially severe in young children. Vaccination is a key tool in preventing whooping cough, with the vaccine included in the expanded vaccination program starting at 2 months of age. Vaccination during pregnancy can also help protect newborns who are not yet eligible for vaccination.

However, many infected children are either too young to be vaccinated or have not completed the full vaccination schedule. Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, emphasized the importance of ensuring that children are fully vaccinated to prevent the spread of the disease and protect vulnerable populations.

In response to the increasing number of cases in Ho Chi Minh City and beyond, efforts to increase vaccination rates and raise awareness about immunization are crucial in combating whooping cough outbreaks.