Many people in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Nam had never been vaccinated until a diphtheria outbreak attacked one community, killing three people and hospitalizing dozens of others.

Health authorities in the province’s Phuoc Son District decided to run an immunization campaign which forced people to get vaccinated.

According to Nguyen Duc Toan, chairman of the People’s Committee of Phuoc Loc Commune, those living in mountainous areas in the district are afraid of immunization, as they have never received injections before.

Nguyen Van Hai, head of the Department of Health of Quang Nam Province, said that the people often worship and refuse to meet anyone during ten consecutive days.

Sometimes the illness worsens and becomes incurable.

Nearly 900 people were vaccinated in the campaign, which was a huge success for local authorities.

Ho Van Xien (R), local, and his family are determined not to get vaccinations. “It hurts,” he said. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Ho Van Hanh (L), head of the Vietnam War Veterans' Association in Phuoc Loc Commune, is pictured trying to convince Ho Van Via, a local, to get vaccinated. Both Via and his wife were sick, but they stayed home and slept rather than receiving an injection. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The Quang Nam Department of Health screens a movie which features the benefits of immunization to persuade people to get vaccinated. Photo: Tuoi Tre

An ethnic child in Phuoc Loc Commune cries hysterically when receiving a vaccination for the first time. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Two people with suspected diphtheria infections are seen given vaccinations. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Gradually, people have actively come to see the doctors to receive a vaccination. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Two men hang a banner that encourages locals to be vaccinated in Phuoc Loc Commune. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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