A health Co-ordinator in Papua New Guinea says low immunisation coverage is leading to epidemics.
The Special Immunisation Activity co-ordinator, Kichawen Chakumai, said the latest severe outbreak, nearly four years ago, affected 20,000 people and resulted in 167 reported deaths.
Mr Chakuma said those affected ranged from the under fives right through to high school students who had missed out on their shots.
The immunisation programme is supported by the Australian Government's aid agency AusAID, United Nations Children's Fund and the World Health Organisation.
