Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan, Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, delivers his remarks.
At the conference, delegates updated new scientific data, shared practical experience, and discussed preventive approaches suitable for each stage of life.
In the context of changing disease patterns and epidemiology, the risk of infectious diseases is present across many age groups, from young children and adults to the elderly, especially among people with underlying medical conditions. This creates a need for a comprehensive life-course approach to prevention.
Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan, Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said that the development of prevention strategies should be based on epidemiological data, scientific evidence, and international experience. In particular, the orientation of “lifelong immunity” is gaining attention as an approach framework to improve the effectiveness of public health protection.
Increasing Risk of Infectious Diseases at Both Ends of Life
One of the key topics discussed at the conference was the current burden of infectious diseases among vulnerable groups that have not yet been adequately protected.
Vietnam is entering a period of rapid population aging, leading to increasing healthcare needs among the elderly and people with underlying diseases. The aging of the immune system increases the risk of infectious diseases, especially respiratory infections.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Khac Bao, Deputy Director of the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, said that people aged 65 and older are at high risk of respiratory infections with severe progression and high mortality rates. These diseases not only cause acute illness but also worsen chronic conditions, especially in cases of viral and bacterial co-infection.
However, in reality, prevention rates in this group remain limited. A 2024 survey in Hanoi recorded that the rate of adults receiving pneumococcal prevention was only 11.5%. Meanwhile, according to a 2023 survey by the Ministry of Health, fewer than 6% of older adults received annual influenza prevention, mainly due to a subjective mindset and lack of medical consultation.
At the other end of life, infants and young children are also at high risk because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Globally, lower respiratory tract infections remain one of the leading causes of death, with pneumococcus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) being common pathogens.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Tien, President of the Vietnam Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, delivers his remarks.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Tien, President of the Vietnam Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said that RSV is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children, with a high hospitalization rate, especially among infants aged 0–6 months, including full-term and healthy babies. RSV infection not only creates a disease burden but also affects healthcare costs and family life.
Hesitancy in Prevention — A Barrier That Needs to Be Addressed
One notable issue raised at the conference was hesitancy toward preventive measures, which affects access rates to services, especially among older adults.
According to Professor Jana Shaw from Upstate Medical University in the United States, hesitancy does not mean refusal, but is often a state of uncertainty or delay in decision-making. The causes may be related to perceptions of disease risk, safety concerns, personal beliefs, or barriers to accessing services.
Experts emphasized that healthcare workers play a key role in counseling, providing accurate information, listening, and offering personalized support, thereby helping build trust and enabling people to make appropriate decisions.
Experts share insights at the conference.
Toward a Comprehensive Life-Course Prevention Strategy
From epidemiological, clinical, and international experience perspectives, experts agreed that a life-course approach to prevention is a practical direction in the context of changing healthcare needs.
The concept of “lifelong immunity” is viewed as a framework that helps the healthcare system assess risks comprehensively, while strengthening the role of information, healthcare workers, and interdisciplinary coordination in modern preventive medicine.
A representative of Pfizer Vietnam said the company participated in the conference as a scientific supporter, contributing to professional exchange, sharing international experience, and updating information for practical application in line with Vietnam’s context.