12 Jul 2018

Cook Islands follows Samoa in suspending MMR vaccine

From , 5:04 am on 12 July 2018

The Cook Islands has suspended all MMR vaccinations, which covers measles, mumps and rubella.

The decision was made following the deaths of two infants in Samoa after they were immunised with the same batch of MMR vaccine.

The Cooks Islands' Secretary for Health says the move is precautionary as the country gets the MMR vaccine from the same supplier as Samoa, via the United Nations Children's Fund.

Josephine Aumea Herman says the suspension is temporary and the health ministry is awaiting the results of an investigation in Samoa into the deaths of the two infants there.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine, MMR,

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