1 Nov 2019

Measles epidemic inevitable in Samoa - expert

From Morning Report, 8:10 am on 1 November 2019

An immunisation expert is terrified the three measles-related deaths in Samoa signal the inevitable beginning of an epidemic in the Pacific Island nation.

There are now 314 suspected cases in Samoa, where three people - including two babies - are thought to have died from the disease.

Immunology and vaccine specialist at the University of Auckland, Dr Helen Petousis-Harris, says New Zealand should have done more to protect Samoa from the outbreak.