UNICEF and the Ministry of Health launch the campaign to Protect Baby from the First Steps

Ha Noi, March 3^rd, 2025 – UNICEF Viet Nam and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have launched the communication campaign “Protect Your Baby from the First Steps” today. The campaign aims to raise public awareness, particularly among parents, of the Rota vaccine’s critical role in preventing acute diarrhea caused by the Rotavirus.

Acute diarrhea caused by the Rotavirus is a dangerous, highly contagious gastrointestinal infection, with potentially fatal outcomes in children. In Viet Nam, the Rotavirus accounted for 20 per cent to over 50 per cent of acute diarrhea cases in young children from 2016 and 2023. Annually, hundreds of thousands of children require hospitalization, and thousands need emergency care. This places significant strain on the healthcare system, creates financial burdens for families, and hinders children’s healthy development, particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas with limited access to vaccines.

The Rota vaccine has proven exceptionally effective in preventing diarrhea caused by this virus. Research indicates an efficacy rate of 85-98 per cent in preventing severe diarrhea and 74-87 per cent for all severities of acute diarrhea caused by the Rotavirus within the first year of administration. Successfully and safely implemented in over 120 countries, the vaccine has significantly reduced child mortality and hospitalization rates. Currently, Rota vaccines manufactured in Viet Nam ensures adequate supply for the national Expanded Program on Immunization.

A decision¹ issued last year by MOH established that this vaccine should be incorporated into the expanded programme. Beginning in 2024, this initiative offered free-of-charge vaccines to children in 32 economically disadvantaged and mountainous provinces. In accordance with government resolutions², this initiative is set to progressively extend its reach nationwide, incorporating an additional nine provinces this year, and covering all remaining provinces by 2026.

“Protect Your Baby from the First Steps” campaign urges parents to get their children vaccinated with two complete doses of the Rota vaccine before six months of age to effectively prevent acute diarrhea caused by the virus and build a protective shield for healthy growth. Campaign messages will be disseminated via television and radio programmes, articles, and social media activations, which will be available in several ethnic languages and sign language.

Social media outreach on platforms managed by UNICEF Viet Nam and the Ministry of Health will amplify the campaign’s messages to dozens of millions of people. The endorsement of healthcare experts and influencers will further enhance the reach, particularly among parents in remote and disadvantaged regions.

For further information, please contact:

Ministry of Health
Department of Health Communication, Office of the Ministry of Health.
Phone: +84 (024) 62827979

UNICEF Viet Nam
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Phone: +84 (024) 38500225
Email: [email protected] 

[1] Decision No. 1596/QĐ-BYT issued by the Ministry of Health on June 10, 2024.

[2] Resolution 104/NQ-CP, August 15, 2022.