According to the MoH, since 2000 the World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially recognised Vietnam as having eradicated polio, acknowledging the country’s consistent efforts to maintain this achievement over the years. However, it also warns that Vietnam is currently among the countries with a high risk of polio virus importation, which threatens the progress already made.

To strengthen polio prevention, the MoH requests that provincial and municipal authorities, as well as relevant health institutions, urgently implement key measures. Local authorities are asked to direct their commune-level committees, sectoral agencies, and mass organisations to work closely with the health sector, particularly in provinces and communes bordering Laos or areas where the disease is present.

Border localities are encouraged to cooperate actively with neighbouring Lao provinces in sharing information about the polio situation and coordinating preventive measures.

Provincial health departments, in coordination with the Pasteur and Hygiene Institutes, are required to assess polio risk and develop comprehensive prevention plans based on these assessments. The results of the risk evaluations should be reported to the Central Pasteur Institute for consolidation and submission to the MoH.

Expanded immunisation efforts are to be intensified, with particular attention to ensuring children receive the required doses of polio vaccine. Provinces must review vaccination histories and provide additional doses to individuals who have not been fully immunised, especially in high-risk areas. Routine immunisation under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation should continue to be carried out safely and effectively.

Medical facilities are expected to promptly admit and treat suspected or confirmed polio cases, minimising severe outcomes and fatalities. Strict compliance with infection control regulations and environmental sanitation is mandatory to prevent cross-infection within healthcare facilities.

Provinces must ensure adequate resources to implement prevention measures according to the “four on-the—spot” principle (on-site command, on-site forces, on-site logistics, and on-site materials), and the Departments of Finance are urged to provide timely funding for activities such as enhanced surveillance, sample collection and transportation, and supplementary immunisation campaigns.

Relevant authorities are also tasked with organising interagency inspection teams to monitor the implementation of the MoH directive, as well as reviewing areas with low vaccination coverage to conduct follow-up immunisation.

Ministry proposes adding dengue vaccine in expanded immunisation programme

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is considering including a dengue vaccine in the expanded immunisation programme, offering it free of charge to the public.