The 79-year-old resident of Tan Binh district, Ho Chi Minh City, explained that he and his wife have underlying health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. He also has heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Therefore, he is always vigilant about protecting his health. Three years ago, after seeing information about pneumonia vaccines on TV, he and his wife received the pneumococcal 13 and flu vaccines.
Recently, the family returned to the VNVC Hoang Van Thu Vaccination Center for their annual flu booster shots and the pneumococcal 20 vaccine. This time, they brought along Le Thi Thuyet, their 55-year-old domestic worker. Thuyet received a health check-up and also received both vaccines, with the cost covered by Tran Trong.
Thuyet shared that she is originally from Thanh Hoa province and came to Ho Chi Minh City to work for Trong’s family almost three years ago due to financial hardship. This was the first time she had ever been vaccinated.
Trong explained, "Our domestic worker is a member of our family. Taking care of Thuyet’s health is also taking care of our family’s health. When they feel respected and cared for, they will be more devoted to us."
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Thuyet undergoes a health check 30 minutes after receiving her vaccinations at the VNVC Hoang Van Thu Vaccination Center. Photo: Hoang Duong |
Thuyet undergoes a health check 30 minutes after receiving her vaccinations at the VNVC Hoang Van Thu Vaccination Center. Photo: Hoang Duong
Similarly, Nguyen Thi Thao, 63, a resident of Nha Be district, Ho Chi Minh City, also ensured her domestic worker received the flu vaccine. Thao explained that a year ago, her daughter-in-law was pregnant, so the family hired a domestic worker to help with housework, cooking, and childcare. Thao herself has arthritis and cannot do much physical work.
"We took our domestic worker for vaccination partly because we care for her and partly to protect the overall health of our family," Thao said.
Dr. Nguyen Nhu Dien, Medical Manager of VNVC Vaccination System, emphasized the importance of protecting the health of the entire family, including domestic workers. Today, domestic workers are an integral part of many families, responsible for tasks such as cooking, childcare, and elder care. Therefore, protecting their health is just as important as protecting the health of family members. Vaccination is one of the most effective preventive measures.
Vietnam currently offers 4 types of flu vaccines: those from France, the Netherlands, and South Korea are for children 6 months and older and adults, while the Vietnamese vaccine is for people aged 18 to 60. Children under 9 who have not been vaccinated require two initial doses, at least one month apart, followed by an annual booster. Children 9 and older and adults require a single dose and an annual booster.
There are 5 types of pneumococcal vaccines: Pneumococcal 10 is for children aged 6 weeks to under 6 years, Pneumococcal 13 and 15 are for children 6 weeks and older and adults, Pneumococcal 20 is for people 18 and older, and Pneumococcal 23 is for children 2 and older and adults. Doctors will recommend a suitable vaccination schedule based on age and vaccination history.
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Tran Trong brings his domestic worker for vaccinations to protect their health. Photo: Hoang Duong |
Tran Trong brings his domestic worker for vaccinations to protect their health. Photo: Hoang Duong
Dr. Dien also recommends considering other vaccines such as those for dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, measles, chickenpox, whooping cough, diphtheria, meningococcal disease, and HPV for comprehensive health protection. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including consuming cooked food and boiled water, ensuring a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, keeping the house clean, and practicing good personal hygiene is also essential.
The fluctuating weather patterns of summer, with alternating heat and rain, can lead to fatigue, loss of appetite, weakened immune systems, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Since April, the Ministry of Health has warned people to be cautious of seasonal diseases like influenza, dengue fever, measles, hand, foot, and mouth disease, whooping cough, and diphtheria.
Influenza is a common acute respiratory infection in Vietnam, mainly caused by influenza A strains like H1N1, H3N2, and two influenza B strains. Typical symptoms include high fever, sore throat, coughing, fatigue, and runny or stuffy nose for 3-7 days. In individuals with weakened immune systems, coughing and fatigue can persist longer. Severe cases can lead to complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, myocarditis, sepsis, multiple organ failure, and even death.
The pneumococcal bacteria can cause various illnesses, including pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis, and sepsis. Without prompt treatment, these infections can be fatal. There are over 100 strains of pneumococcal bacteria, some of which are resistant to antibiotics.
Chi Anh
