4 May 2024

Nine Pacific countries adopt essential vaccination plan

From , 6:01 am on 4 May 2024
Meanwhile the village kids are getting the message about vaccination. Face masks are a common sight in Samoa.

Photo: RNZ / Logan Church

Children in nine Pacific Island countries will now be better protected from life threatening diseases because their governments are adopting an immunisation program that has been implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the ministries of health and funding from Rotary since 2020.

The commitment will see vaccines for Pneumococcal Disease, Rotavirus and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) added to the national essential immunisation programs for Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue, Tokelau and Kiribati.

UNICEF Aotearoa spokesperson Frances Wells spoke with RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins. 

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