With the confirmation of measles cases in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health has called on parents and guardians to bring all unvaccinated children, especially children under five years of age, to be vaccinated against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR).
New Zealand has recently confirmed measles cases in their country and is coordinating their health response to contain these cases. In light of this situation, the Ministry of Health again appeals urgently to the public to take this matter seriously.
Children need two doses of the MMR vaccine to be considered protected and should be immunized at 9 and 15 months. If you are unsure of your child’s immunization status or do not have your child’s immunization record, please visit a health facility nearest to you or call the EPI Unit at the Ministry of Health on phone number 66693 for more information.
The Ministry of Health Samoa continues to advocate and conduct outreaches to villages where MMR vaccination coverage is low, as well as appealing to the general public to ensure that all children are fully vaccinated. We are making good progress; however, we are mindful that some children may have not received their MMR vaccinations.
The Ministry urgently appeals to parents and guardians in the Apia North West Upolu and South East Upolu areas where coverage is low to vaccinate all unvaccinated children at the nearest health centre.
The Ministry of Health urges the public, especially parents, to vaccinate their children against measles and ensure that all other vaccines due for their age are up to date and completed to protect them from other diseases.
The 2019 measles outbreak claimed 83 lives and infected over 5,700 residents, mostly young children. The Health Sector has aggressively re-launched vaccination programs.
