Babies death

The prosecution had pushed for a stay of the inquest hearing because of the pending trial of Leutogi Te'o and Luse Emo, where the police evidence on the charges will be heard.

The trial is scheduled for January next year.

The hearings will take place at the TATTE Convention Centre from Monday until Wednesday.

The other two members of the Commission of Inquiry are Leo’o Dr John Adams and Lealaiauloto Liai Iosefa-Siitia.

The nurse, who has not been named, was due to appear in court yesterday after last week being charged with manslaughter, conspiracy to defeat the course of justice, and negligence.

The babies died last month soon after receiving their vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella at a clinic in Savai'i, prompting the government to halt the country's vaccination programme.

The case has been referred to the Supreme Court, where the nurse will appear on 27 August.

The police investigation continues.

The nurse has been charged with negligence causing death and perverting the cause of justice relating to the deaths of the two babies following measles, mumps and rubella immunisations last month.

The association's president, Solialofi Papali'i, said they were confused as to why the nurse has been arrested, and also why a second nurse, who apparently administered the vaccine, was not charged as well.

She also said that Commission of Inquiry into the matter was not complete and that the post mortem results, done by Australian experts, were not even in the country.

The government has set up a three person commission of inquiry to be headed by prominent Samoan judge and diplomat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.

The other two members include highly qualified medical practitioner Leo'o Tautalatasi Dr. John Adams and Lilia Si'itia, who has years of experience in the nursing profession with the Ministry of Health.

It will look at Ministry of Health procedures for the administering of the MMR vaccine injections and alleged discrepancies relating to the deaths of the two young children.