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Over 18,000 Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease cases in Southern Vietnam; experts discuss new vaccine
🇻🇳 Vietnam /Health & Science

Over 18,000 Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease cases in Southern Vietnam; experts discuss new vaccine

From Tuổi Trẻ · (1h ago) Vietnamese Critical tone

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Southern Vietnam is experiencing a surge in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases, with over 18,000 infections reported.
  • A recent pediatric conference discussed the disease's burden and the potential role of a new vaccine, Envacgen (B4).
  • Experts are sharing knowledge on various pediatric issues, including HFMD, dengue fever, and hypertension in newborns, to improve care in the Mekong Delta region.

The Mekong Delta region of Vietnam is grappling with a significant outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), with health authorities reporting over 18,000 cases and eight tragic deaths in the southern provinces this year. This alarming situation was a focal point at the 10th expanded scientific conference on pediatrics, jointly organized by the Children's Hospital of Can Tho and the Vietnam Pediatric Association.

Tình hình dịch tay chân miệng ở trẻ em năm nay đang rất "nóng" tại các tỉnh phía Nam với trên 18.000 ca mắc, đã có 8 trường hợp tử vong tại khu vực này.

— TS.BS Lê Nguyễn Thanh NhànDr. Nhan reported on the severe Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease situation in southern Vietnam, noting over 18,000 cases and 8 deaths.

Dr. Le Nguyen Thanh Nhan from Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City presented findings on the "Update on the burden of disease and vaccines for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease," highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention and treatment strategies. The discussion also delved into the potential of a new vaccine, Envacgen (B4), which received market approval from Vietnam's Ministry of Health in March 2026. This vaccine, recommended by Taiwan's Society of Neonatology, reportedly offers 100% protection against the EV-A71 strain and provides immunity for up to five years, with specific vaccination schedules for different age groups.

Theo nhà sản xuất, vắc xin này được đánh giá bảo vệ 100% đối với chủng EV - A71 và hiệu quả miễn dịch kéo dài 5 năm.

— Vaccine Manufacturer (reported)The manufacturer claims the vaccine offers 100% protection against the EV-A71 strain and lasts for 5 years.

As reported by Tuổi Trẻ, the conference served as a crucial platform for over 700 medical professionals from across Vietnam to exchange knowledge and experiences. Beyond HFMD, experts addressed other pressing pediatric health concerns such as dengue fever, hypertension in newborns, pneumonia, and the comprehensive care of premature infants. Dr. Ong Huy Thanh, Director of the Children's Hospital of Can Tho, emphasized the value of such gatherings for healthcare providers in the southwestern region to learn from leading pediatricians. While international media might focus on the statistics of the outbreak, for Vietnamese pediatricians and families, the conference represents a vital effort to combat these diseases and improve child health outcomes within the country, underscoring a national commitment to advancing pediatric care.

Vào tháng 3-2026, Bộ Y tế đã cấp phép lưu hành đối với vắc xin B4 (Envacgen), đây cũng là vắc xin được Hội Sơ sinh Đài Loan khuyến cáo sử dụng phòng bệnh tay chân miệng cho trẻ em.

— TS.BS Lê Nguyễn Thanh NhànDr. Nhan mentioned that Vietnam's Ministry of Health approved the Envacgen (B4) vaccine in March 2026, which is also recommended by Taiwan's Society of Neonatology.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tuổi Trẻ in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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