Vaccinations are available at five new locations from today: The Samoa Tourism Authority Fale, Myna’s Old Supermarket in Vaoala,  Manuleleua Lauese in Vaimoso, Fale Komiti in Lepea, and the Catholic Church in Moamoa.

These sites are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday, and are being run by Ministry of Health nurses and medical officials from New Zealand and Australia.

Vaccinations are also available from the new clinic in Eleele Fou, the Samoa Red Cross in Tuanaimato and the Samoa Family Health Association in Moto’otua, which are also open on Weekdays 8am until 8pm and Saturdays from 8am until 1pm.

Urban and District Hospitals and Health Centres are also conducting vaccinations. 

Alongside a supply of 3000 vaccines from New Zealand, the United Nations Children’s Fund has deployed 110,500 doses of measles containing vaccine.

It has also sent six refrigerators and three emergency response trolleys used as immunization service stations, currently en route to Samoa, as well as health and communication staff.

All vaccinations should be free, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (N.E.O.C.), who are cracking down on clinics charging a fee for their services.

Private clinics like the Plaza Medical Clinic are charging $20 for children and $50 for adults to get their measles, mumps and rubella vaccine on Saturdays but have been told they should not charge a fee. 

The N.E.O.C, which is located in the old Post Office across from the ANZ on Beach Road, is coordinating all support and donations going towards fighting the measles epidemic or helping the Hospitals with resources.

They ask that “all businesses or persons who wish to donate towards the measles epidemic may do so through the N.E.O.C.”

There are now 1,174 cases of measles in the country and the virus has likely caused 17 deaths, 16 of which are children under five years old.

The National Emergency Coordination Office reports 189 cases are currently receiving hospital treatment, 159 of which are at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Moto’otua.

Leulumoega District Hospital is treating 22 cases and Malietoa Tanumafili Hospital has three while five are in other rural district hospitals.

98 per cent of cases are on Upolu, with Vaimauga West and Faleata West with the highest concentration.

All vaccine clinics and opening times: 

Upolu:

Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital Emergency Department, Monday to Friday from 8am – 8pm and Saturdays 8am – 1pm

Rural District Hospitals:  Leulumoega, Poutasi, Lalomanu,  Monday to Friday from 8am – 8pm

Community Health Centres: Faleolo, Lufilufi, Saanapu, Monday to Friday from 8am – 8pm

Wellness and Youth Friendly Service (Old Diabetic Clinic), Eleele Fou, Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday 8am – 1pm

Samoa Family Health Association, Moto’otua, Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday 8am – 1pm

Mobile Service Unit, Samoa Red Cross Headquarters, Tuanaimato, Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm

Samoa Tourism Authority Fale, Eleele Fou, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Myna’s Old Supermarket, Vaoala, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Laoa Manuleleua Lauese, Vaimoso, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Fale Komiti, Lepea, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Catholic Church, Moamoa, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Savaii:

Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital Emergency Department, Monday to Friday from 8am – 8pm and Saturdays 8am – 1pm.

Rural District Hospitals: Sataua, Safotu, Foailalo, Monday to Friday from 8am – 8pm

Community Health Centre in Satupaitea, Monday to Friday from 8am – 8pm