The Mass vaccination campaign mandated by the National Disaster Management Committee by Order following the Proclamation of Emergency for the measles outbreak has not yet started despite the death toll rising by the day.
The National Emergency Operation Centre last night announced the locations and opening hours for immunisation as being the Motootua and Tuasivi hospitals as well as all District hospitals in Samoa.
However this morning members of the public were turned away from these locations, prompting another public notice issued this morning (as PR3) to say that, “The confirmed dates for implementing the Mass Vaccination Plan is forthcoming.”
“The NEOC wishes to clarify that the PR2 on the Minsitry of Health Mass Vaccinated Campaign served to inform the public in advance on the sites and targeted priority age groups to be vaccinated,”
Several families were also turned away from the Matagialalua Clinic for the past two afternoons, closing before 4pm when they had run out of vaccines.
“We have run out of vaccines, we’ve been told to refer people to the Main Hospital at Motootua. We will re-open tomorrow morning.”
“Ua ala ga kapugi ua uma le kui. O la e fai mai e o aku i le falemai lea ei ukā.”
The opening hours announced were from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
The Matagialalua Clinic has been closed for the past two days before 4pm when they had run out of vaccines.
“We have run out of vaccines, we’ve been told to refer people to the Main Hospital at Motootua. We will reopen tomorrow morning.”
“Ua ala ga kapugi ua uma le kui. O la e fai mai e o aku i le falemai lea ei ukā.”
Meantime more babies have died since the declaration of emergency announcement in the weekend, all of them reported to have not been vaccinated.
Sources confirmed that a baby died at the TTM Motootua Intensive Care Unit today. A message received by Samoa Global News reads, “There is loud waling by a mother in ICU right now, she just lost her baby. I don’t know how many so far 😪😪😪😪😪😪”.
Samoa Global visited Toamua this morning where Meki Tavita and his family are preparing to bury his three year old son, Meki Tavita Junior who died on Saturday. Mr Tavita also confirmed that there are more family members in hosptial infected with the measles.
The Press Releases are published in verbatim below:
(PRESS RELEASE 3)
CLARIFICATION ON THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH MASS VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
(NATIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTRE); The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) wishes to clarify that the PR -2 on the Ministry of Health’s Mass Vaccination Campaign served to inform the public in advance on the sites and targeted priority age groups to be vaccinated. The confirmed dates for implementing the Mass Vaccination Plan is forthcoming.
The public is advised that HEALTH Facilities are still operational for vaccination, targeting the priority age groups below:
• All children: 6 months – 19 years
• Non-pregnant Females only: 20 to 35 years
NEOC continues to be the focal point for all information with strong collaboration and advice from MOH on all other efforts for the duration of the Emergency Period.
Please direct all enquiries to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) on telephone number 997.
(PRESS RELEASE 2)
MINISTRY OF HEALTH MASS VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
(NATIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTRE); With the Proclamation of Emergency Article 105 Constitution of the Independence State of Samoa, the Ministry of Health has maximized its coordinated efforts to control the spread and adverse effects of the Measles Epidemic through a compulsory Mass Vaccination Campaign prioritizing certain vulnerable age groups in Upolu and Savaii.
The Ministry of Health urges people in the following prioritized age groups who are at high risk, to be vaccinated:
• All children: 6 months – 19 years
• Non-pregnant Females only: 20 to 35 years
The Measles Vaccination Program will be available at these health facilities at the designated dates and time slots:
UPOLU
• The Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), Immunization Clinic located at the TTMH Emergency Department, Monday to Friday from 8am – 8pm and Saturdays 8am – 1pm.
• Samoa Family Health Association, Opposite the Hospital – Motootua: Monday to Friday from 8am – 8pm and Saturdays 8am – 1pm.
• Wellness and Youth Friendly Service (Old Diabetic Clinic) at Matagialalua, Eleele Fou, from Monday to Friday at 9:00am to 5:00pm.
• Rural District Hospitals: (Leulumoega, Poutasi, Lalomanu) and Community Health Centres (Faleolo, Lufilufi, Saanapu) from Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 8pm
• Mobile Service Unit at the Samoa Red Cross Compound, Tuanaimato from Monday to Friday from 8am – 5pm.
SAVAII
• The Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH) at Tuasivi. The Immunisation Clinic is located at the MTIIH emergency department, Monday to Friday from 8am – 8pm and Saturdays 8am – 1pm.
• Rural District Hospitals (Sataua, Safotu, Foailalo) and Community Health Centre (Satupaitea), Monday to Friday from 8am – 8pm
Please direct all enquiries to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) on telephone number 997.
—ENDS—
