In recent days, large queues have formed at vaccination centres in Vietnam's Ca Mau province. According to the local press, residents want to be vaccinated against meningococcal infection after news emerged of several fatal cases in the region. On the evening of 31 October and throughout 1 November, the vaccination centres were overwhelmed, and some people had to wait in line for more than an hour.
One resident told journalists that she was deeply worried by the news about the disease, its severe course and the deaths, and so had decided to have her child vaccinated as soon as possible. She said she had not expected to see so many people: there was no room inside, and she had to wait outside.
Several vaccines against different types of the pathogen are available in Vietnam. The most affordable, Cuban, costs about 396,000 dong (roughly $15). American and Belgian preparations cost between 1.37 and 1.75 million dong, while the most expensive, the Italian vaccine, costs more than 1.8 million dong per dose.
Chan Hien Khoa, head of the Ca Mau Province Centre for Disease Control, commended the citizens' awareness but urged them to be cautious. He explained that the infection is transmitted by airborne droplets, through particles of saliva when someone sneezes or talks at close range, but does not spread through the air over long distances. At the same time, between 10 and 25 percent of people may carry the bacterium without any symptoms and infect others. In his words, the crowding of people at vaccination centres creates a risk of accelerated spread of the disease.
The vaccine does not provide absolute protection; immunity develops in 80 to 90 percent of cases, so after vaccination it is necessary to continue observing precautions. People should stay calm and not give in to panic. In crowded places, wear a mask, maintain hygiene at home, exercise and eat well.
— Chan Hien Khoa, head of the Ca Mau Province Centre for Disease Control
The head of the CDC also reminded people that if symptoms such as coughing, a runny nose or a high temperature appear, they should immediately seek medical care and under no circumstances attempt self-treatment. The disease develops very quickly and can lead to death. All vaccines approved for use, he assured, meet quality standards.
Since the beginning of the year, three people have died of meningococcal infection in Ca Mau province. The two most recent cases occurred in Song Doc commune, but the source of infection in them has not yet been established. The epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
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