Babies were transported Friday to Safotu Hospital in Savai, where they died a few minutes after receiving the MMR vaccine, reported Television New Zealand.
"I asked for a full investigation into the circumstances that led to this devastating incident that I do not take lightly," he said.
"There are already processes that will determine whether negligence is a factor and, if so, be certain that these processes will be implemented to the letter to prevent such a tragedy from repeating itself. and that those responsible should be obliged to answer. "
Leausa Take Naseri, Director General of Health, said that he had stopped the program of vaccination until the end of the investigation.He also requested a forensic autopsy on the two babies, because the police are investigating the deaths.
The hospital staff involved was also abducted for his own safety, reported Radio New Zealand.
concerned about the safety of our workers, especially the nurses who were involved because it is now easily blamed – the finger is pointing to the nurses, "said Naseri
The MMR Vaccine
Vaccines prevent nearly 6 million deaths worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization. In countries that use vaccines extensively, diseases such as measles have been almost eradicated, with a 99% reduction in cases.
Usually given in two doses in early childhood, the MMR vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps and rubella. .
A dose is about 93% effective in preventing measles if the person is exposed to the virus, while two doses are effective at about 97%, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sanjay Gupta: The benefits of vaccines are a reality "data-src-mini =" // cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150819104110-spc-vital-signs-polio-vaccines-c-00002715-small- 169.jpg "data-src-xsmall =" // cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150819104110-spc-vital-signs-polio-vaccines-c-00002715-medium-plus-169.jpg "data -src-small = "http://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150819104110-spc-vital-signs-polio-vaccines-c-00002715-large-169.jpg" data-src-medium = "//cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150819104110-spc-vital-signs-polio-vaccines-c-00002715-exlarge-169.jpg" data-src-large = "// cdn.cnn. com / cnnnext / dam / assets / 150819104110-spc-vital-signs-polio-vaccines-c-00002715-super-169.jpg "data-src-full16x9 =" // cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets /150819104110-spc-vital-signs-polio-vaccines-c-00002715-full-169.jpg "data-src-mini1x1 =" // cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150819104110-spc-vital- signs-polio-vaccines-c-00002715-small-11.jpg "data-demand-load =" not-loaded "data-eq-pts =" mini: 0, xsmall: 221, small: 308, medium: 4 61, broad: 781 "src =" data: image / gif; base64, R0lGODlhEAAJAJEAAAAAAP /////// wAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAQAAkAAAIKlI + py + 0Po5yUFQA7 "/>
"Most children in the world receive this vaccine or similar vaccines," Helen Petousis-Harris, a vaccinologist at University of Auckland, told CNN. "We have safety data on the vaccine, we understand the effects very well, this type of case is extremely rare."
In addition, she said, infant mortality has declined in many countries that use these vaccines. Every country has a vaccination program that has proven very safe, "she added. " For now, we need to understand what has happened so that we can develop strategies to make sure this does not happen again, because we do not know many things (the dead). "
