On March 16, a delegation from the Department of Disease Prevention under the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, led by Ann Josephine Burton (senior researcher at the Australia’s National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance ), worked with the Dong Nai Department of Health and the Dong Nai Provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC) to assess the expanded immunization system in the province. Deputy Director of the Department of Health Luu Van Dung chaired the meeting with the delegation.
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| Deputy Director of Dong Nai Department of Health Luu Van Dung reports at the working session with the delegation. Photo: Ha Hang |
According to the Dong Nai CDC, during the 2021-2025 period, the Expanded Programme on Immunization in Dong Nai province achieved significant results, making an important contribution to the prevention and control of dangerous infectious diseases and to the protection of community health. The immunization system has been maintained consistently through a widespread grassroots healthcare network. In addition to public facilities, the province has 99 private vaccination centers and 20 state-run vaccination facilities providing services to local residents.
During the COVID-19 outbreak in 2021, vaccination activities were disrupted by vaccine shortages and social distancing measures. However, hospitals still ensured essential vaccinations for newborns, including hepatitis B and tuberculosis vaccines.
From 2022 to 2023, immunization efforts gradually returned to normal, although some children missed scheduled doses due to limited vaccine supply. By 2024, as vaccine availability stabilized, the health sector implemented catch-up campaigns, significantly improving coverage. By 2025, the rate of fully immunized children in Dong Nai reached 96.3%, compared to 62.1% in 2021.
In particular, in response to the complicated measles situation, the province organized four measles vaccination campaigns between September 2024 and May 2025 for children and high-risk healthcare workers. The campaigns achieved a vaccination rate of 96.6% among targeted groups.
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| Vaccinating children at Dong Nai CDC. Photo: Hanh Dung |
Under the working schedule, the delegation will continue assessing the expanded immunization system at hospitals, regional health centers, commune health stations, and private vaccination facilities across the province through March 19, 2026. The assessment covers program and financial management, human resource management, vaccine supply, quality, and transportation, service delivery, monitoring of vaccination coverage and post-vaccination reactions, disease surveillance, communication activities, and resource mobilization.
By Hanh Dung – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho
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