On November 29, at the national scientific conference on dengue fever 2025, Truong Huu Khanh, Vice President of the Infectious Diseases Society of HCMC, pointed out the most common misunderstanding about dengue fever: Many people still think only children get the disease.

“In fact, anyone can get dengue fever regardless of age or health. Adults have a risk level equal to children,” Khanh emphasized.

In some cases, dengue fever can lead to life-threatening complications if not detected and treated promptly. Therefore, widespread communication is needed to change this misconception in the community.

Vietnam has officially licensed the first dengue fever vaccine, opening a new prospect in the fight against a disease that threatens millions of people every year.

Doctor Khanh said this is an important step forward in preventing dengue fever through immunization. A study in Thailand shows that the vaccine can help reduce 62 percent of cases after 5 years and more than 80 percent after 10 years when combined with environmental management, mosquito control, and vaccination.

In addition, the vaccine can reduce the risk of infection by more than 80 percent and the risk of hospitalization when infected by up to 90 percent.

However, doctor Khanh stressed that even after vaccination, people must continue taking preventive measures to protect themselves and the community, including clearing weeds, trimming trees, washing water containers, covering water-storage items, and regularly cleaning their surroundings.

Furthermore, the disease prevention strategy needs to be based on four pillars: communication to help people understand the disease burden; inter-sectoral coordination between departments, unions, schools, enterprises, and citizens; full provision of information on preventive measures, including vector control and immunization; and doctors and medical staff who not only treat diseases but also play a role in communicating prevention, early detection, and recognition of severe symptoms.

Currently, Vietnam is implementing diverse communication channels from newspapers, television, mobile propaganda vehicles to social networks. The message has shifted from "3 no - 1 yes" to "no larvae - no mosquitoes - no dengue fever" to be easier to remember and implement.

Doctor Dinh Thi Hai Yen from the HCMC health education department advised people to actively use the online healthcare application developed by the HCMC department of Health to report disease risk points right in their residential areas.

Through the application, people can take photos or videos of risk points such as stagnant water puddles, accumulated waste, along with location information and reporting content. In just about one minute, the report will be sent to the health sector.

Vo Thu