11 Sep 2018

Restart of Samoa vaccination programme urged

4:04 pm on 11 September 2018

Samoa's health authorities say some children have contracted whooping cough after a vaccination programme was suspended and they're desperate for the programme to resume.

The programme which includes the vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella, was stopped in early July following the death of two babies who'd just received the MMR jab at Safotu District Hospital.

A baby is vaccinated.

Photo: 123RF

The Ministry of Health has told a commission of inquiry into the deaths that some children have been diagnosed with whooping cough as a result of the suspension of the whole immunisation programme.

The ministry said the immunisations have been carried out by nurses since the programme was introduced to Samoa back in the 1970s.

It's also revealed to the inquiry taking place this week measures have been put in place to guarantee safety once the programme resumes.

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