16 Sep 2014

Solomons measles spreads despite mass vaccinations

3:41 pm on 16 September 2014

Health authorities in Solomon Islands say the rate of measles infections in the capital Honiara has not decreased despite records showing that more than the original target population of 55,500 residents have been vaccinated.

The Director of Child Health, Dr Divi Oga Oga, says the movement of people to and from the capital is probably the reason no change is being seen.

He says the implementation of the second phase of the mass vaccination campaign targeting the provinces is already underway as authorities try and overtake the spread of the highly infectious disease.

"With the current stock we have we can cover Malaita, Central Islands, Western Province, Guadalcanal and whatever is left there we will cover the other smaller provinces. I think in Honiara it is quite overwhelming and I would like to appreciate the public in coming forward to get vaccinated."

Director of Child Health Dr Divi Oga Oga.

So far two children have died and more than 1,300 cases of measles have been reported.