The Ministry of Health of Samoa will restart the Children’s Immunization Programme this month.
At a press conference Tuesday, Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri reassured that a thorough investigation into the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, which allegedly claimed the lives of two young infants from Savaii last year, has found the vaccine to be “100% safe.”
Both children received the MMR vaccine shortly before their deaths.
The Government then aborted the children’s immunization programme to await the outcome of a medical and criminal investigation.
Two registered nurses are currently facing criminal charges related to the deaths of the two infants.
Visiting World Health Organisation Director General for the Western Pacific, Dr. Takeshi Hakai fully supports the Ministry of Health’s decision to resume the MMR vaccination programme for young children.
The Health Ministry plans to restart the programme from 15 April 2019.