His discussion took place within one hour on the afternoon of 17/1, finalizing a vaccination appointment for the following morning. Thanh stated he first registered his 8-month-old daughter, followed by himself and his wife.

Beyond vaccination, he also prevents illness for his child by limiting outdoor exposure and arranging for the child to stay in a room on the highest floor. If a family member shows signs of coughing, runny nose, or fever, they proactively avoid contact with the baby.

Thanh, 42, a veterinarian with medical knowledge, actively researches disease situations and prevention methods for his family. According to him, meningococcal disease should be prevented due to its high mortality risk, especially in children.

An 8-month-old girl is brought by her mother for meningococcal vaccine at VNVC Nha Be. *Hoang Duong*

Meanwhile, Huu's family, including himself, his eldest son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren, urgently received vaccinations for meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, and Japanese encephalitis last weekend. The reason: his second son was diagnosed with meningitis and is awaiting cerebrospinal fluid test results to identify the causative agent.

"The doctor advised us to get vaccinated early for prevention. My children and grandchildren received all types, while I only received pneumococcal, adult meningococcal, and Japanese encephalitis vaccines," Huu stated.

Doctor Nguyen Cong Luan, Medical Manager at the VNVC Vaccination System, reported a sharp increase in meningococcal infection cases nationwide in 2025. From mid-14/12/2024 to 17/12/2025, there were 104 cases, more than a 4-fold increase compared to the same period in 2024. The disease's rapid progression, high fatality rate, and respiratory transmission route cause widespread concern. Consequently, many choose early vaccination, especially with the Lunar New Year holiday approaching.

"Vaccinating several weeks in advance helps the body produce enough necessary antibodies to combat the disease in time," Doctor Luan said.

Meningococcal disease can affect any age, including healthy individuals. *Vecteezy*

Meningococcal disease, including meningitis and sepsis, often begins with vague symptoms like fever, cough, and headache, easily mistaken for the flu, which can delay detection. Without timely treatment, the disease can progress rapidly and lead to severe consequences, with a mortality rate of up to 50%.

About 20% of patients may experience neurological sequelae such as impaired hearing, vision, or motor function. The incidence of sequelae is higher in infants and young children. Therefore, early symptom recognition and proactive prevention are crucial for health protection.

Currently, Vietnam offers five types of meningococcal vaccines through private vaccination services. People need to combine these vaccines to protect against all pathogenic serogroups: B, A, C, Y, and W. Additionally, everyone should maintain personal hygiene, regularly gargle with antiseptic solution, wear masks in crowded places, and avoid sharing personal items like lipstick or drinking glasses.

Hoang Yen