The Department of Health (DOH) is urging parents to make sure their children’s MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) vaccinations to protect them from measles are up to date.
After increased cases of measles were reported from Australia and New Zealand, the Pacific has entered active surveillance and enhanced monitoring for measles.
DOH Epidemiologist Adam Konrote said at a press conference Thursday that American Samoa and neighboring countries do not have any measles cases at this time. But because there is frequent travel from Australia and New Zealand to island countries, the Pacific has been put on alert.
The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccination.
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Yolanda Masunu, head of the Immunization Program, said that while there’s high vaccination coverage for measles in the territory, there is concern that children under 5 in certain areas of the territory have a low vaccination rate.
Director of Health Dr. Saipale Fuimaono announced that this Saturday the Tafuna Community Health Center will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for immunizations. Vans will be available to transport parents and children from areas in the Tuala-uta district that have low vaccination rates. DOH is working with village pulenuu through the Office of Samoan Affairs in this outreach.
Epidemiologist Konrote said parents should make sure their children have received the MMR vaccination.
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