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Samoa Measles Crisis
About Samoa Measles Crisis
A devastating measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019 killed 83 people, mostly children under 5, out of approximately 5,700 cases. The crisis followed a drastic drop in vaccination rates from 74 percent to 34 percent in 2018. The decline was triggered by the deaths of two infants who received incorrectly prepared MMR vaccines. Two nurses had mixed the vaccine with expired muscle relaxant instead of water. The nurses were imprisoned for negligence. Anti vaccine activist Edwin Tamasese promoted vitamin C and other alternative treatments, discouraging vaccination. Robert F Kennedy Jr visited Samoa and met with anti vaccine advocates. The government declared a state of emergency and mandated vaccination. A mass vaccination campaign achieved over 90 percent coverage. UNICEF provided 110,000 vaccine doses. The Samoa tragedy demonstrates how safety incidents and misinformation can devastate vaccination programs.
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