MMR vaccinations

The Ministry of Health has amended laws barring non-residents from accessing vaccinations in a bid to curb the spread of measles among workers, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said on Friday. It comes as the death toll from a measles epidemic in Samoa - currently at 79 - continues to rise.

The changes will mostly affect Samoans in or travelling to New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, which enables around 13,000 Pacific workers to visit New Zealand each year on temporary work permits.

The two nurses implicated in the tragedy, Luse Emo Tauvale and Leutogi Te'o, pled guilty to manslaughter last week and will be sentenced later this month.

The Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, said every vial of the vaccine should be mixed with one vial of dilutant, but the vaccine was mixed with something else.

He said he's worried many parents have stopped taking their children to get any vaccines at all.

RNZI correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says it won't be easy convincing parents the vaccine is safe.

Health Minister Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama said new safety measures mean the mistakes of the past will not be repeated.

Tuitama told Talamua Online that as part of the lifting of the ban, which happened earlier this month, doctors will now be present when vaccinations are carried out.

He said if there was no parental consent, babies would not be immunised.

Tuitama said there was concern that if the ban was kept in place, measles, mumps and rubella could spread.