7 Nov 2019

UN agencies urge Pacific to vaccinate against measles

11:02 am on 7 November 2019

The World Health Organisation and the UN children's agency UNICEF are urging people in the Pacific to get immunised against measles.

Surgical face masks are now becoming a common sight in the shops and streets of Apia as the community responds to the measles epidemic.

Surgical face masks are now becoming a common sight in the shops and streets of Apia as the community responds to the measles epidemic. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Jenny Meyer

The agencies said that should happen before travelling internationally, attending major events or community gatherings.

Vaccination provided the best protection against measles and parents should get their children immunised.

In October, Samoa and Tonga both declared measles outbreaks.

Both UNICEF and the WHO said they were continuing to provide resources to Pacific states to respond to the measles threat.

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