Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(62,674 posts)
Mon Dec 9, 2019, 09:34 PM Dec 2019

American Samoa to begin mass measles vaccination this week

Source: Associated Press

American Samoa to begin mass measles vaccination this week

December 9, 2019

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — Health officials in the U.S. territory of American Samoa say they will begin mass measles vaccinations later this week.

At a meeting Sunday, officials said the vaccinations would be given for seven days starting Friday. There are nine confirmed cases of measles in the island territory.

American Samoa Health Department Epidemiologist Dr. Aifili John Tufa says five of the island’s cases were in people who had been traveling and the others were locally transmitted.

On Friday, American Samoa officially declared a measles outbreak, a move that closed public schools Monday and prohibits gatherings in parks.

In the neighboring independent nation of Samoa, more than 60 people have died, mostly children, from the measles and more than 4,000 were infected since the outbreak started in mid-October.


https://apnews.com/b80df6f2bc390e3fc1b263c5c4b5f62c
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Health»American Samoa to begin m...