Samoa MMR programme to re-start this month

Samoa's measles, mumps and rubella vaccination programme is due to start again later this month.

The MMR programme was halted last July following the death of two infants after they received the vaccination.

Two nurses have been charged with their manslaughter.

The World Health Organisation's representative to Samoa Rasul Baghirov said they will step-up the programme and aim to have all eligible children vaccinated by the end of April.

The potential for the measles outbreak in New Zealand to spread to Samoa has created an extra sense of urgency according to Dr Baghirov.

Restoring confidence in the programme remains a hurdle, he said.

"What needs to happen for the quick catch-up is information which will be going from the vaccinators to the community, to the mothers and parents of the children so that they can start bringing their children to the facilities for vaccination. Again, this is not an easy task," said Rasul Baghirov.

In November last year, Samoa's Health Minister Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama told local media that the moratorium on the MMR programme had been lifted and vaccinations should resume with new safety measures in place.

     

Photo supplied. Caption: World Health Organisation's representative to Samoa Rasul Baghirov