Day Cares to be closed down if kid’s vaccinations are not current

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Health will be shutting down Day Care Centers if the eligible children are not up to date with their immunization shots — also known as vaccinations.

This is according to a statement released by the Department of Health recently following the presence of measles cases around the region, including Samoa.

 “A notice to ALL daycare centers to work with the DoH Immunization Program in getting the eligible children vaccinated, or they will be subject to closure in 7 days.”

A DoH official told Samoa News, their Environmental Health Services Division will be carrying out the inspections of the Day Care Centers across the territory starting next week.

As reported yesterday, Samoa's Director General of Health Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma says there are two suspected case of measles in the country.

The initial suspected case was ruled out after tests were returned from New Zealand.

The government newspaper Savali reported the Health Ministry is maintaining its strict surveillance and monitoring duties for a potential outbreak of measles in the wake of alerts from New Zealand and Australia.

During the 2019 measles outbreak 83 lives were lost, mostly young children.

The country's health sector has aggressively re-launched vaccination programs and authorities are aiming to increase coverage of the first Measles, Mumps and Rubella shot to 90 percent, and the second to 80 percent.

In the meantime, Samoa's Ministry of Health will introduce flu vaccines starting next year as local health authorities continue to monitor a rise in respiratory infection cases.

Flu cases also appear to be on the rise in American Samoa, after reports from local businesses of staffers staying home after exhibiting symptoms. 

Last week, Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua told Samoa News that with the suspected case in Samoa, “if it means we have to close our borders between Samoa and American Samoa, we will make that recommendation for the Governor’s consideration, but we will not take any chances,” said Motusa.

Earlier this month the DoH revived its immunization campaign.

 “Measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases; approximately 9 out of 10 susceptible persons with close contact to a measles patient will develop measles.

“The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Patients are considered to be contagious from 4 days before until 4 days after the rash appears.

Measles starts with a fever that can get very high. Some of the other symptoms that may occur are (1) Cough, runny nose, and red eyes, (2) Rash of tiny red spots that start at the head and spread to the rest of the body, (3) Diarrhea, and (4) Ear infections.

For some children, measles can lead to pneumonia, lifelong brain damage, deafness or death.

Persons who have been exposed to measles should contact their health care provider if they develop cold-like symptoms with a fever and/or rash consistent with measles. They should NOT go to any health care facility without calling first.

The best way to stop the spread of measles is to be vaccinated. Two doses of MMR vaccine provides 97% protection against the disease. One dose provides 93% protection."