Samoa Commission of Inquiry into babies’ death to begin next week

A Commission of Inquiry led by Judge Tuiloma Neroni Slade will begin hearings next week into the death of two babies following their Mumps, Measles and Rubella (“MMR”) vaccinations.

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 Terms of Reference require the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the causes of the deaths of the two babies following their MMR vaccinations and the circumstances relating thereto in order to enable the assessment of the standards and procedures within the Ministry of Health and/or the District Hospital (where the babies were vaccinated) for the administration of MMR vaccinations.

Other issues include the procedures specifically relating to the administration and injection of the MMR vaccination to the second baby who died notwithstanding the absence of parental consent to the same; and whether there were any discrepancies in the administration of the MMR vaccinations to the two babies in question in line with the current health and medical procedures in place.

The two babies died within hours of receiving their MMR vaccinations at a hospital in Savaii in July.

Two nurses have pleaded not guilty to charges related to the babies’ death.

     

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