6 Jun 2019

Samoan warning of renal failure if children not vaccinated

1:56 pm on 6 June 2019

A senior Samoan doctor has warned children who are not vaccinated could end up on dialysis with renal failure.

Vaccination injection.

Photo: 123RF

According to Newsline Samoa, the President of the National Kidney Foundation of Samoa gave the warning while speaking of young people already getting dialysis treatment.

Papalii Dr Sam Petaia said a child under the age of five years and a 10-year-old are among adult patients receiving dialysis and this is causing concern to the medical profession.

He said with the Pacific Games coming up in July, it is crucial that parents ensure children are immunised.

Papalii said a large number of people will be in Samoa for the Games and some could have communicable diseases, so it is vital that parents have their children vaccinated.

He added that children who are not vaccinated will be vulnerable to getting kidney diseases because their immunity will be low.

The child under five had his kidneys affected as a result of pneumonia and having skin disease.

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