NCIRS expert, Dr Ann Burton (left) and Dr Madeleine Marsland (right), worked with Vietnam Ministry of Health officials when deployed with Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network to tackle measles. Credit: WHO

Measles in Vietnam: breaking the cycle for good

In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam encountered a large-scale resurgence of measles cases. NCIRS’ global public health expert Dr Ann Burton and medical epidemiologist Dr Madeleine Marsland were deployed by the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) to support the immediate response – and made recommendations to help Vietnam prepare for the future.

When it comes to infant vaccination rates, Vietnam is impressive.

In 2024, the nation achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. In fact, immunisation coverage in Vietnam not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.

But despite these gains, gaps remain. 

For decades, Vietnam has experienced resurgences of the highly contagious measles virus. By 2024, disruptions in vaccination coverage due to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine supply stock-outs resulted in a large immunity gap. This left many vulnerable to measles infection, particularly babies and children under 5 years of age. 

During their deployment, Dr Burton and Dr Marsland undertook data analysis, interviewed more than 60 stakeholders and visited provinces around the country. 

‘It reminded me just how fragile progress can be,’ said Dr Burton. 

‘Measles remains a fast-moving, highly transmissible threat. So, as well as maintaining high routine immunisation coverage in every part of the country and in every community, Vietnam needs to enhance its capacity to quickly identify and respond to any new cases. These steps are crucial in keeping children safe, and achieving elimination,’ she said.

Working with the Vietnam Ministry of Health and other partners, and drawing on global and regional evidence, the two experts made recommendations to strengthen routine immunisation coverage, surveillance systems, and outbreak response for measles and rubella. 

These were tailored to the context in Vietnam. 

‘It was the strength of local knowledge and commitment that truly shaped our recommendations, including the expertise of staff at the Vietnam Ministry of Health who supported and helped coordinate our GOARN mission plan. It was a privilege to work so closely with health staff,’ said Dr Marsland, whose deployment was supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

A highlight for Dr Marsland was visiting grassroots healthcare centres.

‘I especially valued our time in Thanh Hoa, a northern coastal province, where we visited hospitals, the local office of the Centre for Disease Control and commune health stations. The dedication of local health teams was remarkable. Everyone we met was eager to learn from the outbreak and prevent the next one.’
NCIRS Director Professor Kristine Macartney said, ‘The deployment of Dr Burton and Dr Marsland to support Vietnam’s measles outbreak response through GOARN is a testament to the commitment and expertise of NCIRS to collaboratively support countries in the Asia Pacific region. Their work not only contributed to vital public health efforts in Vietnam but also enriched NCIRS through the insights and experience they gained.’

The World Health Organization (WHO) support for strengthening responses to measles in Vietnam also includes the procurement of an emergency supply of more than 1 million doses of measles-rubella vaccines, as part of a campaign for outbreak response and supplementary immunisation activities in highest-risk areas. This procurement was made possible with the support of DFAT and other donors.

In the short term, Dr Marsland is staying on in Vietnam to support development of a national immunisation strategy as well as a national measles and rubella immunisation strategy. 

WHO representative in Vietnam Dr Angela Pratt said, ‘Vietnam’s response to drops in routine childhood vaccination over the last two years has been incredibly impressive. Building on this success, WHO has been delighted to support the deployment of two experts through GOARN, with thanks to the Government of Australia, to help plan how to achieve measles elimination, for a safer and healthier future.’

About GOARN 
To date, GOARN includes over 320 partners globally, with 87 in the Western Pacific Region. GOARN’s mission is to provide rapid multi-disciplinary technical support for outbreak response to communities and health authorities globally. GOARN partners represent a broad range of organizations, including ministries of health, national public health institutes, medical and surveillance networks. For more information, go to GOARN.