Samoa makes measles vaccine mandatory to stop deadly outbreak
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoa makes measles vaccine mandatory to stop deadly outbreak

Al Jazeera  

At least six have died, including five children, in outbreak that is also affecting Tonga and Fiji. Samoa was finalising plans for a compulsory measles vaccination programme on Monday, after declaring a state of emergency amid an epidemic of the deadly infection that is sweeping the Pacific nation. New Zealand, which is experiencing its own measles outbreak in the Auckland region, will this week send 12 nurses and 3,000 MMR doses to assist Samoa’s public health response. University of Auckland immunologist Helen Petousis-Harris said even though measles was already widespread, the mass rollout of vaccinations could help limit the number of cases and reduce the death toll. Neighbouring Tonga last week announced government primary schools and kindergartens would be closed until later this month as the number of measles cases in the kingdom approaches 200.

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History of this topic

'Not a fully honest accounting': CNN anchor calls out Trump pick over measles outbreak
1 month, 3 weeks ago

'Not a fully honest accounting': CNN anchor calls out Trump pick over measles outbreak

Raw Story  

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the notorious conspiracy theorist tapped by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is not telling the truth about his involvement in a measles outbreak in Samoa, CNN health correspondent Meg Tirrell told anchor Jake Tapper on Friday. "Renewed reports are emerging about Kennedy's alleged role in a deadly 2019 measles outbreak …

Editorial: Florida shows how to bungle a measles outbreak
10 months, 1 week ago

Editorial: Florida shows how to bungle a measles outbreak

LA Times  

As life-saving as the COVID-19 vaccines have been, the measles vaccine has been an even greater success story. It’s not the biggest measles outbreak in recent years, but the ho-hum attitude of the state’s top public health official, Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, is deeply troubling. Still it was shocking that in the midst of the outbreak, he ignored the public …

72,760 children and 14,180 pregnant women identified for immunisation in a survey in T.N.
1 year, 5 months ago

72,760 children and 14,180 pregnant women identified for immunisation in a survey in T.N.

The Hindu  

A door-to-door survey carried out across the State from July 15 to 31 identified 72,760 children aged below five and 14,180 pregnant women, who either missed vaccine doses or were nearing their due date, for vaccination in the State. Every year, about 10 lakh pregnant women and 9.16 lakh newborns are covered under the immunisation programme in the State. Under …

American Samoa declares public health emergency, ramps up vaccination amid fears of measles outbreak
1 year, 8 months ago

American Samoa declares public health emergency, ramps up vaccination amid fears of measles outbreak

ABC  

American Samoa has declared a public health emergency amid fears of a deadly measles outbreak. Key points: Epidemiologist Scott Anesi says the aim is to fully vaccinate all children from grade 1 and above before reopening schools He says all active cases are currently in a stable condition and "doing well" Samoa has introduced vaccine requirements for all travellers from …

Measles warning as MMR jab uptake falls to lowest level in 10 years
2 years, 11 months ago

Measles warning as MMR jab uptake falls to lowest level in 10 years

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: “The MMR vaccine offers the best …

New Zealand makes COVID vaccines mandatory for doctors, teachers
3 years, 2 months ago

New Zealand makes COVID vaccines mandatory for doctors, teachers

Al Jazeera  

Vaccine mandate comes as New Zealand struggles to quell an outbreak driven by the Delta variant. “We can’t leave anything to chance so that’s why we are making it mandatory,” said Chris Hipkins, New Zealand’s education minister who is also in charge of the country’s COVID-19 response. The vaccine mandate comes as health authorities reported 35 new cases, all of …

Samoa goes into lockdown to vaccinate its population against COVID-19
3 years, 3 months ago

Samoa goes into lockdown to vaccinate its population against COVID-19

ABC  

For the past two days, the entire nation of Samoa has been locked down, with strips of red fabric flying in front of many homes. Key points: Authorities hope 99 per cent of Samoa's eligible population will be vaccinated after the lockdown Workers went door-to-door to administer the first dose of AstraZeneca In 2019, Samoa embarked on a similar campaign …

Anatomy of an epidemic: How measles took hold of Samoa
5 years, 1 month ago

Anatomy of an epidemic: How measles took hold of Samoa

ABC  

Sixty-three children in Samoa have died from measles. Measles infections had popped up around the Pacific, but the virus only took hold in Samoa, where the national immunisation rate had fallen to a low of 30 per cent. 'Nazi' anti-vax claims Medical experts warn Samoans against heeding anti-vax messages spread by social media influencers amid a deadly measles outbreak in …

Samoa measles outbreak is what happens when anti-vaxxers win
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoa measles outbreak is what happens when anti-vaxxers win

LA Times  

In July 2018, two young children died shortly after being injected with a contaminated measles-mumps-rubella vaccine in a clinic in Samoa. Vaccination rates in the Pacific island nation plummeted to just 31%, far below the 95% immunization rate that public health officials say is necessary to prevent a disease from spreading through a community. An estimated 2% of the population …

Samoa charges anti-vaxxer with incitement as country battles deadly measles outbreak
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoa charges anti-vaxxer with incitement as country battles deadly measles outbreak

ABC  

Samoan authorities have charged an alleged anti-vaxxer with incitement against the government, as the Pacific nation remains in a national shut-down over a measles outbreak which has killed more than 60 people. Key points: Measles has killed 63 Samoans at the last count, most of them children The anti-vaxxer's public claims were reported to the Samoan Attorney General Measles cases …

UN blames anti-vaxxers for measles outbreak that killed 62 as families put red flags outside houses to request vaccinations in Samoa
5 years, 1 month ago

UN blames anti-vaxxers for measles outbreak that killed 62 as families put red flags outside houses to request vaccinations in Samoa

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Samoan families put red flags outside as vaccination teams go door-to-door after measles deaths
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoan families put red flags outside as vaccination teams go door-to-door after measles deaths

ABC  

Families in Samoa that are not vaccinated against measles have been told to display red flags outside their homes as part of a mass vaccination campaign against an epidemic that has killed at least 62 people. Key points: Medical teams are going door-to-door administering vaccines Businesses and Government services have been shut down for two days Samoa's Prime Minister denied …

Australian anti-vaxxer backs Samoan 'traditional healer' who says vaccines spread measles
5 years, 1 month ago

Australian anti-vaxxer backs Samoan 'traditional healer' who says vaccines spread measles

ABC  

Australian anti-vaxxers are sending supplies and lending support to a traditional healer in Samoa who claims vaccines are spreading measles and treats sick children with debunked alternative remedies. 'Utter absence of understanding about virology': Virologist Winterstein, who's married to a Samoan NRL star and runs a health and lifestyle personal brand with more than 25,000 Instagram followers, on Monday posted …

Samoa measles outbreak: Government shuts down so everyone can get vaccinated
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoa measles outbreak: Government shuts down so everyone can get vaccinated

CNN  

CNN — Red flags have been erected across Samoa to mark unvaccinated households as the government shuts down Thursday to deploy all resources to reining in a deadly measles outbreak. More than 4,200 cases of measles have been reported across the Pacific island nation in recent weeks, including 62 deaths – with 2 fatalities in the last 24 hours, according …

Samoan Government To Close Its Offices Amid Measles Crisis That Has Left 53 Dead
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoan Government To Close Its Offices Amid Measles Crisis That Has Left 53 Dead

NPR  

Samoan Government To Close Its Offices Amid Measles Crisis That Has Left 53 Dead Enlarge this image toggle caption Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images The Pacific island nation of Samoa will shut down government services for two days so that civil servants can focus on a nationwide immunization drive as the country struggles to end …

Samoa measles outbreak: Death toll rises to 53, mostly children
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoa measles outbreak: Death toll rises to 53, mostly children

Al Jazeera  

The small Pacific island nation of Samoa has closed schools and is restricting travel ahead of the Christmas holiday season as the death toll from a measles outbreak tops 50, in the latest flare-up of a global epidemic of the virus. The highly infectious disease has been crossing the globe, recently finding a susceptible population in Samoa, where vaccine coverage …

Measles Outbreak Kills Dozens Of Kids On Samoa And Infects Thousands More
5 years, 1 month ago

Measles Outbreak Kills Dozens Of Kids On Samoa And Infects Thousands More

NPR  

Measles Outbreak Kills Dozens Of Kids On Samoa And Infects Thousands More Samoa is under a state of emergency as its health system struggles with the crisis. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks to the editor of the Samoa Observer, Keni Lesah. Joining us now from Samoa's capital, Apia, is Keni Lesa, the editor of the Samoan Observer. GARCIA-NAVARRO: How well is …

Samoans battle deadly measles crisis as grieving mother urges parents to 'take good care of your children'
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoans battle deadly measles crisis as grieving mother urges parents to 'take good care of your children'

ABC  

Eseta Meki can still remember when she felt her two-year-old son's heartbeat slowing down. Key points: Only two-thirds of the population has been immunised The Red Cross says the low vaccination rate represents a "really high risk" A Government mass vaccination campaign has seen a strong turnout Ms Meki, whose son Meki died during Samoa's measles crisis, had rushed him …

Samoa's measles crisis has claimed 15 lives but how did the outbreak start?
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoa's measles crisis has claimed 15 lives but how did the outbreak start?

ABC  

Samoa's Government has announced a compulsory mass vaccination campaign, making receiving immunisations a mandatory legal requirement. Key points: Low immunisation coverage has been attributed as a major factor Local media has reported more than 700 suspected cases of measles Other neighbouring nations such as Fiji and Tonga are also affected The move comes amid a deadly measles outbreak in the …

Samoa receives support from Australia and New Zealand amid escalating measles crisis
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoa receives support from Australia and New Zealand amid escalating measles crisis

ABC  

The death toll from Samoa's deadly measles outbreak has climbed to 15, as Australia and New Zealand dispatch medical teams to tackle the contagious disease spreading across the Pacific. Key points: Australia has sent a team of 34 doctors, nurses and clinical assistance to Samoa New Zealand will deploy a total of 30 vaccination nurses and 3,000 vaccinations Experts attribute …

Samoa Closes Schools And Mandates Vaccinations Amid Deadly Measles Epidemic
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoa Closes Schools And Mandates Vaccinations Amid Deadly Measles Epidemic

NPR  

Samoa Closes Schools And Mandates Vaccinations Amid Deadly Measles Epidemic Enlarge this image toggle caption Seth Wenig/AP Seth Wenig/AP The Samoan government closed schools indefinitely Monday as it attempts to quell a measles epidemic that has killed at least six people and hospitalized dozens more. Sponsor Message National How Communities Affected By Measles Work To Contain Outbreaks How Communities Affected …

Samoa declares state of emergency as measles outbreak claims lives
5 years, 1 month ago

Samoa declares state of emergency as measles outbreak claims lives

ABC  

Samoa's Government has declared a state of emergency, ordering all schools, including the National University of Samoa, to be closed as a deadly measles outbreak continues to spread. Key points: The Samoan Government ordered children under the age of 17 not to attend public gatherings Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga made proof of measles immunisation a condition of entry for visitors …

Samoa orders all pre-schools to shut after three suspected measles deaths
5 years, 2 months ago

Samoa orders all pre-schools to shut after three suspected measles deaths

ABC  

Samoan officials have said the deaths of two babies and one adult are believed to be linked to a measles outbreak, and have ordered all pre-schools to close in an attempt to stop the virus spreading. Key points: The outbreak is thought to have started in New Zealand Measles cases in Western Australia have also been linked to Kiwi travellers …

Measles outbreaks driven by difficulty in getting vaccinations, not anti-vaxxers, warn health experts
5 years, 3 months ago

Measles outbreaks driven by difficulty in getting vaccinations, not anti-vaxxers, warn health experts

The Telegraph  

The rise in measles is being fueled by a shortage of nurses, health workers and difficulties in getting GP appointments, rather than anti-vaccination lobbyists, public health experts have warned. But although Matt Hancock, the health secretary, has blamed anti-vaxxers for stoking public fears about the measles, mumps and rubella jab, experts said many parents simply could not get their children …

Schools should be presented with MMR jab certificates before pupils can start, MP says
5 years, 4 months ago

Schools should be presented with MMR jab certificates before pupils can start, MP says

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Sheerman said on Monday: “It …

Parents urged to obtain MMR jab for their children after measles and mumps rise
5 years, 7 months ago

Parents urged to obtain MMR jab for their children after measles and mumps rise

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Health officials have issued an urgent vaccination call after more than …

Measles outbreak kills more than 1,200 in Madagascar
5 years, 8 months ago

Measles outbreak kills more than 1,200 in Madagascar

Associated Press  

AMBALAVAO, Madagascar — Babies wail as a nurse tries to reassure mothers who have come to vaccinate their children against a measles outbreak that has killed more than 1,200 people in this island nation where many are desperately poor. Madagascar faces its largest measles outbreak in history, with cases soaring well beyond 115,000, but resistance to vaccinating children is not …

Health check: Diseases strike back hard as vaccines are ignored
5 years, 11 months ago

Health check: Diseases strike back hard as vaccines are ignored

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: Ignoring a vaccine can lead to re-emergence of the disease and while vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella are recommended worldwide there have been instances of people not opting for vaccination. Often it has been found that in the first dose, immunity is 70 per cent, second dose increases immunity by another 10 per cent and after the third …

Measles outbreaks challenge public health systems
5 years, 11 months ago

Measles outbreaks challenge public health systems

CNN  

CNN — The current measles outbreak in Washington state has tallied the highest number of infections since 1996, an official said Wednesday. Washington Department of Health officials identified 11 health care facilities, 13 schools and child-care centers and over 100 public places, including stores, where people may have been exposed to the virus, he said. State health officials from Washington, …

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