TWO hundred and fifty-eight children on Saipan, Rota and Tinian got their anti-measles vaccine following the Department of Public Health’s intensified campaign against a possible outbreak of the disease in the CNMI.
Dr. Richard Brostrom, medical director for public health, said this figure is over 50 percent of the estimated number of CNMI children that do not have proper immunization against measles.
“We estimated 494 children that were not immunized. Because of the campaign, we were able to immunize 258 kids on Saturday and Sunday,” Brostrom told Variety in an interview.
Acting Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider, in a statement yesterday afternoon, said the immunization campaign held during the weekend was a “success.”
Brostrom said there were 216 children who got their MMR vaccine from the Commonwealth Health Center on Saturday and Sunday.
Tinian Health Center vaccinated 15 children, while Rota Health Center handled 12 children.
Saipan Health Clinic and Pacific Medical Center vaccinated 11 and four children, respectively, according to Brostrom.
There are less than 10 children on Rota and Tinian that still need the anti-measles vaccine.
Measles is an acute and contagious virus disease. Its symptoms include high fever, red rash that covers the body, runny nose, watery eyes and coughing.
The measles vaccine is administered as part of the measles, mumps and rubella or MMR vaccine series to children beginning at 12 to 15 months, and again, at four to six years of age or 11 to 12 years of age.
Public Health issued a measles alert on Thursday, after receiving an official notification from Guam’s Department of Public Health and Social Services of a possible measles epidemic.
The Children’s Clinic at CHC will again extend the immunization hours this week.
Beginning today up to May 3, CHC will be open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., instead of the regular clinic hours of up to 5 p.m.
“Please take advantage of this opportunity to have your child immunized,” said Hofschneider.
