Samoa shutting down government to try to stop deadly measles outbreak

essentialsaltes

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The government of Samoa will shut down for two days this week while officials try to curb a deadly measles outbreak that has sickened 3,728 and killed 53—48 of whom were children ages 0 to 4 years old.


The Pacific island nation of around 200,000 first declared an outbreak of measles on October 16. The highly contagious viral infection spread rapidly, and officials declared a state of emergency by mid-November. The outbreak has continued to flare, however. On Sunday, the government reported that there had been 198 new measles cases in the last 24 hours alone.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF estimated that Samoa’s measles vaccination rate for infants was just 31% in 2018. That’s down from about 60% to 70% in earlier years and a high of 90% in 2013.

The drop may be partly explained by the tragic deaths of two infants in July 2018, according to the WHO. The infants died on the same day at the same hospital, shortly after they had each received what was supposed to be an MMR vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella).

While antivaxxers blamed vaccines for these deaths, the true cause was a lethal error by two nurses, who were both sentenced to 5 years in prison.

anti-vaccination groups pounced on the circumstances. Most notably, the deaths were picked up by the Children’s Health Defense, run by the prominent anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As The Washington Post noted, Kennedy’s organization spent months highlighting the deaths on Facebook while questioning the safety of the MMR vaccines. But the organization did not correct the posts or update its audience with information regarding the nurses’ error and convictions.

Hey Hey RFK
How many kids did you kill today?
 

grasping the after wind

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The government of Samoa will shut down for two days this week while officials try to curb a deadly measles outbreak that has sickened 3,728 and killed 53—48 of whom were children ages 0 to 4 years old.


The Pacific island nation of around 200,000 first declared an outbreak of measles on October 16. The highly contagious viral infection spread rapidly, and officials declared a state of emergency by mid-November. The outbreak has continued to flare, however. On Sunday, the government reported that there had been 198 new measles cases in the last 24 hours alone.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF estimated that Samoa’s measles vaccination rate for infants was just 31% in 2018. That’s down from about 60% to 70% in earlier years and a high of 90% in 2013.

The drop may be partly explained by the tragic deaths of two infants in July 2018, according to the WHO. The infants died on the same day at the same hospital, shortly after they had each received what was supposed to be an MMR vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella).

While antivaxxers blamed vaccines for these deaths, the true cause was a lethal error by two nurses, who were both sentenced to 5 years in prison.

I would expect quarantine of those infected and vaccinations for everyone else to be the reasonable response. This seems more like a reallocation of government resources than a shut down.
 
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Rescued One

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All four of my adult children had the MMR vaccine and they never had measles, mumps or rubella. It certainly pays to get the vaccine.
 
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The government of Samoa will shut down for two days this week while officials try to curb a deadly measles outbreak that has sickened 3,728 and killed 53—48 of whom were children ages 0 to 4 years old.


The Pacific island nation of around 200,000 first declared an outbreak of measles on October 16. The highly contagious viral infection spread rapidly, and officials declared a state of emergency by mid-November. The outbreak has continued to flare, however. On Sunday, the government reported that there had been 198 new measles cases in the last 24 hours alone.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF estimated that Samoa’s measles vaccination rate for infants was just 31% in 2018. That’s down from about 60% to 70% in earlier years and a high of 90% in 2013.

The drop may be partly explained by the tragic deaths of two infants in July 2018, according to the WHO. The infants died on the same day at the same hospital, shortly after they had each received what was supposed to be an MMR vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella).

While antivaxxers blamed vaccines for these deaths, the true cause was a lethal error by two nurses, who were both sentenced to 5 years in prison.

anti-vaccination groups pounced on the circumstances. Most notably, the deaths were picked up by the Children’s Health Defense, run by the prominent anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As The Washington Post noted, Kennedy’s organization spent months highlighting the deaths on Facebook while questioning the safety of the MMR vaccines. But the organization did not correct the posts or update its audience with information regarding the nurses’ error and convictions.

Hey Hey RFK
How many kids did you kill today?


I'd happily buy Mr Kennedy a one way ticket to Samoa if it meant he was forced to face the parents of the kids who have died and explain himself. I doubt that he'd need the return ticket.
OB
 
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keith99

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I would expect quarantine of those infected and vaccinations for everyone else to be the reasonable response. This seems more like a reallocation of government resources than a shut down.

It is far too late for vaccinations once an outbreak is raging. Oh it would help but not for at least 2-3 weeks. AND the way typical mass vaccinations happen it could worsen things by exposing people NOW.
 
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Rescued One

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The Kennedy in this story is RFK junior.
Thank you for correcting me. Nevertheless, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. did not cause the deaths of those children.


Don't mind me. I was tired every time I looked at these posts.
 
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Ana the Ist

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The government of Samoa will shut down for two days this week while officials try to curb a deadly measles outbreak that has sickened 3,728 and killed 53—48 of whom were children ages 0 to 4 years old.


The Pacific island nation of around 200,000 first declared an outbreak of measles on October 16. The highly contagious viral infection spread rapidly, and officials declared a state of emergency by mid-November. The outbreak has continued to flare, however. On Sunday, the government reported that there had been 198 new measles cases in the last 24 hours alone.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF estimated that Samoa’s measles vaccination rate for infants was just 31% in 2018. That’s down from about 60% to 70% in earlier years and a high of 90% in 2013.

The drop may be partly explained by the tragic deaths of two infants in July 2018, according to the WHO. The infants died on the same day at the same hospital, shortly after they had each received what was supposed to be an MMR vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella).

While antivaxxers blamed vaccines for these deaths, the true cause was a lethal error by two nurses, who were both sentenced to 5 years in prison.

anti-vaccination groups pounced on the circumstances. Most notably, the deaths were picked up by the Children’s Health Defense, run by the prominent anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As The Washington Post noted, Kennedy’s organization spent months highlighting the deaths on Facebook while questioning the safety of the MMR vaccines. But the organization did not correct the posts or update its audience with information regarding the nurses’ error and convictions.

Hey Hey RFK
How many kids did you kill today?

I heard measles can be cured by eating Tide Pods.
 
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Thank you for correcting me. Nevertheless, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. did not cause the deaths of those children.
The children I'm referring to are the ones who've died of measles.

Kennedy and idiots like him, have contributed to the low vaccination rates in Samoa.

Spreading anti-vaccination propaganda is the moral equivalent of putting poison in the water supply.
OB
 
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Occams Barber

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The Samoan measles death toll has now risen to 63 including 55 children under 4.

Samoan health authorities are asking people to stay at home while they go house to house seeking those who aren't vaccinated. These efforts have been severely hampered by local and international anti vaxxer propaganda aimed at the Samoan population.

A local 'healer'/anti vaxxer has been arrested under state of emergency legislation.

Anti-vaxxer arrested as Samoa battles measles epidemic
Communications Minister Afamasaga Rico Tupai said anti-vaxxers spreading conspiracy theories were hindering the unprecedented public health mobilisation.

"The anti-vaxxers unfortunately have been slowing us down," he told TVNZ.

"We've had children who have passed away after coming to the hospital as a last resort and then we find out the anti-vaccine message has got to their families and that's why they've kept these kids at home."

He warned anti-vaxxers: "Don't get in the way, don't contribute to the deaths".

The government-backed its tough rhetoric by arresting vocal anti-vaccination campaigner Edwin Tamasese late Thursday and charging him with incitement against a government order.

Officials said they acted after Tamasese had ignored previous warnings to stop his campaign.

Tamasese, who has no medical training, has railed against vaccines on his Facebook page and advocates using quack remedies such as papaya leaf extract to treat measles.

In a final post on Thursday before his arrest Tamasese described the vaccination drive as "the greatest crime against our people", and said vitamin C would save children.
OB
 
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Ana the Ist

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The Samoan measles death toll has now risen to 63 including 55 children under 4.

Samoan health authorities are asking people to stay at home while they go house to house seeking those who aren't vaccinated. These efforts have been severely hampered by local and international anti vaxxer propaganda aimed at the Samoan population.

A local 'healer'/anti vaxxer has been arrested under state of emergency legislation.

Anti-vaxxer arrested as Samoa battles measles epidemic
Communications Minister Afamasaga Rico Tupai said anti-vaxxers spreading conspiracy theories were hindering the unprecedented public health mobilisation.

"The anti-vaxxers unfortunately have been slowing us down," he told TVNZ.

"We've had children who have passed away after coming to the hospital as a last resort and then we find out the anti-vaccine message has got to their families and that's why they've kept these kids at home."

He warned anti-vaxxers: "Don't get in the way, don't contribute to the deaths".

The government-backed its tough rhetoric by arresting vocal anti-vaccination campaigner Edwin Tamasese late Thursday and charging him with incitement against a government order.

Officials said they acted after Tamasese had ignored previous warnings to stop his campaign.

Tamasese, who has no medical training, has railed against vaccines on his Facebook page and advocates using quack remedies such as papaya leaf extract to treat measles.

In a final post on Thursday before his arrest Tamasese described the vaccination drive as "the greatest crime against our people", and said vitamin C would save children.
OB

I'm guessing this Tamasese guy isn't a doctor or scientist.
 
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Occams Barber

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I'm guessing this Tamasese guy isn't a doctor or scientist.

Judge for yourself
Tamasese, who has no medical training, has railed against vaccines on his Facebook page and advocates using quack remedies such as papaya leaf extract to treat measles.

In a final post on Thursday before his arrest Tamasese described the vaccination drive as "the greatest crime against our people", and said vitamin C would save children.
OB
 
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Ana the Ist

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Judge for yourself

OB

We live in the age of disinformation...

Part of the problem with social media is that it doesn't qualify statements or differentiate between experts and idiots. For the record, I don't think it should....but the effect is obvious. People who have dumb ideas can hit a larger audience...and potentially spread those dumb ideas.

People like to think they're smart enough to know the difference....but in reality, they have a tendency to agree with their peers.
 
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RestoreTheJoy

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The WHY is important here. Facts matter.
Two senior Samoan nurses have each been sentenced to at least five years in jail after they incorrectly mixed and administered vaccinations that caused the death of two infant children.


-------------

"Also speaking to TV1 Samoa at the time, mother Punipuao Si'u said she had asked for her son not to get vaccinated after she learned that the little girl had died following the same vaccination at the same hospital on the island of Savai'i two hours prior.

It is alleged the vaccination then went ahead without the mother's consent.

Ms Si'u described how her son's head dropped and his eyes closed just minutes after the fatal shot had been administered."

"The emotionally charged case sparked fears in Pacific nation about the safety of vaccinations, with the Samoan Government issuing an immediate recall on the MMR vaccine."
 
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Occams Barber

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The WHY is important here. Facts matter.
Two senior Samoan nurses have each been sentenced to at least five years in jail after they incorrectly mixed and administered vaccinations that caused the death of two infant children.


-------------

"Also speaking to TV1 Samoa at the time, mother Punipuao Si'u said she had asked for her son not to get vaccinated after she learned that the little girl had died following the same vaccination at the same hospital on the island of Savai'i two hours prior.

It is alleged the vaccination then went ahead without the mother's consent.

Ms Si'u described how her son's head dropped and his eyes closed just minutes after the fatal shot had been administered."

"The emotionally charged case sparked fears in Pacific nation about the safety of vaccinations, with the Samoan Government issuing an immediate recall on the MMR vaccine."

The issue here is quite clear. While lack of consent may have been an issue for one of the children, the vaccine itself was not responsible for the death of either child.

From the ABC article you quoted:

"But Samoa's Ministry of Health found last month that the deaths were caused not by the vaccines themselves but by human error.

Each vial of the MMR vaccine needed to be mixed with a vial of diluent, but the health ministry said the nurses mixed the vaccine with the wrong liquid."

The nurses diluted the MMR vaccine powder with an expired anaesthetic. At first it was thought that the vaccine may have been responsible - hence the initial recall of the vaccine.

It's worth noting that after the correct cause of the children's death was established anti-vaxxers continued to promote the idea that the vaccine was responsible.

OB
 
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It's worth noting that after the correct cause of the children's death was established anti-vaxxers continued to promote the idea that the vaccine was responsible.

OB

anti vaxxers are only really happy when they are murdering and torturing infants.
 
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