Vaccination

The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported that the Japanese Government is considering the measures, with a decision on spectator attendance to be taken next month.

Overseas fans have been banned from attending the Games amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but organisers have held off on a decision on domestic fans to date.

A decision is likely to be made towards the end of June, with state of emergency measures in 10 areas including Tokyo set to expire on June 20.

Japan is prioritising vaccinations for the elderly.

According to Newsline Samoa, the President of the National Kidney Foundation of Samoa gave the warning while speaking of young people already getting dialysis treatment.

Papalii Dr Sam Petaia said a child under the age of 5 years and a 10 year old are among adult patients receiving dialysis and this is causing concern to the medical profession.

He said with the Pacific Games coming up in July, it is crucial that parents ensure children are immunised.

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.

A study published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine examines the question: Why did one vaccine offer 35% less protection against the flu?

The less-effective vaccine failed to activate dendritic cells, which are key to the immune system's defense, the researchers discovered, and it failed to stimulate an early immune response.