The Department of Human and Social Services has made a few changes for access to some of its programs in response to the declaration of continued public heaklth emergency prompted by the measles outbreak.
Like all public and private schools, all 22 child care facilities that are authorized to serve clients of the American Samoa Child Care Program are closes until further notice.
To access services, such as applying for and/or retrieving Food Stamp and WIC benefits, and receiving child care assistance, DHSS must verify that you are either immune or protected from measles before you are able to enter DHSS offices.
Please bring with you your immunization card (or other verifiable proof recognized by the DOH/ LBJ that your MMR vaccinations are current) and a photo ID.
A representative from the Department of Health will be on site between the ASNAP and WIC offices at Utulei to verify MMR vaccinations.
Those intending to visit the Child Care Office at the Fagatogo Square, as well as other DHSS locations, must be screened at the checkpoint next to the ASNAP Office until further notice.
Until further notice, all ASWIC services will be provided at the ASWIC main office at Utulei, while DHSS works to confirm the availability of DOH representatives to assist with MMR verification at the WIC clinics in Tafuna and Pavaia’i.
Until such time, these clinics will be closed until further notice.
DHSS will provide reasonable accommodations for special circumstances.
Parents are reminded to keep young children at home for their protection.
Also, those who are not able to receive an MMR vaccination, such as infants younger than 6 months and pregnant women should remain at home and take other steps to increase their protection.
