UNICEF and the World Health Organization help Samoa investigate deaths from vaccination

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) issued a statement in which they state that their children died shortly after receiving a vaccine MMR. UNICEF and WHO are deeply concerned about the deaths of two children in Samoa last week after receiving a routine measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine

"Death of these children, two children is a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and the people of Samoa. "

A spokesman for the organization said the representatives were working closely with the government Samoan; whose Prime Minister called this week for a full investigation into the circumstances of the deaths of two 1-year-old children who died after being vaccinated at Safotu District Hospital on Savaii Island. , last Friday.

Young Lannacallystah Samuelu and Lameko Si – u – the latter celebrating his first birthday a few days ago – should take place this week

It is understood that the representatives of Unicef ​​and of the WHO must land today in the island nation.

"A government-led investigation, including autopsies, is underway and, until it is over, we will not know the cause of this tragedy," said the door. of the Samoan Government

. after its Ministry of Health announced that all MMR vaccines would be stopped and that all vaccines – partly used and unused – would be recalled throughout the country

. Family members revealed the situation and posted photos of dead children on Facebook during the weekend.

Fears After Deaths:

Members of the Pacific community began to question the safety of vaccination. or not, they should take their children to get the recommended vaccines.

Those in the Samoan community, both overseas and in New Zealand, discussed the safety of vaccinations via social media and radio in Auckland. Radio Samoa

However, experts pointed out that the case of Samoa deaths is very rare and that, in fact, the vaccine is very safe.

Dr. Helen Petoussis-Harris, a vaccinologist at the University of Auckland, said yesterday that there had been no deaths associated with RRO vaccine in New Zealand at during the many decades it had been administered here.

She said that there were two reasons that could have resulted in "

" First, there was an error where the vaccine is ill-prepared for injection and, by the end of the bad stuff is injected, "she said.

"Or there was some kind of contamination the vaccine was reconstituted and left at room temperature for a very long time.

In the meantime, a police investigation is also underway after the families of the two children made formal complaints to the Samoa authorities. 19659002] The two nurses involved were demobilized for their own safety, the Samoan authorities said, while the investigation continues.