About 150 Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) shots were administered at the various vaccination sites yesterday, the first time there was a noticeable spike in the immunization response since the one confirmed measles case was publicized.
Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua says parents are slowly responding, and he is hopeful that they will take advantage of the clinics in the villages to get their children immunized.
DOH wants to get the fully vaccinated coverage, up to 95% in the three weeks that schools and day care centers are closed.
A senior DOH nurse, Tina Jennings, who was at the Talalelei CCCAS Hall yesterday, said children 2 and up who should have completed their first round of shots for childhood diseases have only had 1 immunization.
She also observed that whereas in the past, mothers were the ones bringing in their children to the well baby clinics, more fathers are doing that job now. She was of the opinion that with mothers having full time jobs, they are not paying attention to their children’s immunization appointments.
DOH has 18 teams for the mass vaccination campaign, and the sites are listed on the DOH Facebook page.
Parents and legal guardians should bring the child’s immunization card and also the parent or guardian’s photo ID.
So how does measles spread? According to the CDC, exposure is any time with an infectious person OR in a room that person vacated in past 2 hours. It lingers in the air and is one of the most highly contagious illnesses.
The incubation period is 21 days.
Infected people spread it from 4 days prior to 4 days after rash appears.
CDC recommends the isolation period if infected of 4 full days after rash appears.
Photo: DOH
