The Ministry of Health continues to advise parents and guardians to bring all unvaccinated children especially children under 5 years of age to be vaccinated against measles mumps and rubella (MMR).
A statement released indicated that American Samoa has recently confirmed a measles outbreak and they are coordinating their health sector response to contain the outbreak.
“In light of this situation, the Ministry of Health again appeals urgently to the public to take this matter seriously.
“If you are unsure of your child’s immunization status or if you do not have your child’s immunization report please visit a health facility nearest you or call the epi units.
“The ministry 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.”
The statement says that while they are making good progress however they are mindful that there are still children who may not have received their MMR vaccinations.
“The ministry appeals urgently to Parents and guardians in the Apia and Northwest Apia areas with low vaccination coverage to bring all unvaccinated children to be vaccinated at the nearest health centre.
“Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person.
“It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing if other people breathe the contaminated error or touched the infected surface and then touched their eyes noses and mouths they can become infected and you increase your risk of getting measles if you are not vaccinated and have vitamin a deficiency.”
