NZ to send medical staff and measles vaccines to Samoa

New Zealand is providing further support to Samoa at the request of the Samoan government as the country face a worsening measles outbreak.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand is providing 3000 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines and 12 nurses to assist in containing a serious and growing measles outbreak.

“Measles is highly contagious, and the outbreak has taken lives in Samoa. It is in everybody’s interests that we work together to stop its spread,” Mr Peters said.

The first nurses, who will administer vaccinations, will arrive on Wednesday, with other nurses working on rotation over the coming weeks.

The vaccines are undergoing final clearance to arrive in Samoa next week.

“New Zealand has already responded to earlier requests from Samoa for medical supplies, and for pharmaceutical refrigerators which are essential to preserving the efficacy of vaccines,” Mr Peters said.

Supplies to Samoa have included face masks, gowns, hand sanitiser and stretcher beds, and vaccination fridges.

The measles epidemic in Samoa has claimed six lives.

Three cases of mortality suspected of measles are yet to be confirmed.

Health authorities have received over 700 suspected or confirmed cases of measles.

     

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