Current status of some vaccine preventable diseases in Vietnam, 1987-1998

ABSTRACT

Vietnam has implemented the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) since 1981. Since 1986 the EPI has been accelerated. From that time, the proportion of full immunization coverage has steadily increased every year. The EPI has significantly impacted on the downward trend of all vaccine preventable diseases. In parallel with an increase of full immunization coverage, the incidences of the EPI target diseases have decreased each year. Especially, poliomyelitis has dramatically decreased from 559 cases in 1992 to 0 case in 1998. Neonatal tetanus has been eliminated since 1995 by achieving a rate below 1 per 1000 live births at the provincial level. Diphtheria is no longer a problem of community health. Measles has fallen by 47% between 1987-1998.