THE Department of Public Health’s intensified campaign against measles resulted in the vaccination of 518 children.
Dr. Richard Brostrom, medical director of public health, yesterday said the number of children immunized between late April and last week included those from Rota and Tinian.
“There is no suspected or confirmed case of measles in any of the islands of the CNMI. The immunization campaign is doing pretty good,” said Brostrom.
The measles, mumps and rubella series, or MMR, shots are administered to children 12 to 15 months old, and when they are 4 to 6 years of age or 11 to 12 years old.
Public Health’s campaign started when Guam reported a measles outbreak in late April. Government and private clinics provided the MMR shots.
Measles is an acute and contagious virus disease. Its symptoms include high fever, red rash which covers the body, runny nose, watery eyes and coughing.
In other news, the Department of Public Works has awarded a multi-million contract to AIC Marianas, Inc. for the Department of Public Health’s building expansion project.
Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider yesterday said the expansion project will add 25 new dialysis stations needed by the CNMI’s hemodialysis patients.
“For so long, we have been waiting for this project to materialize. This is something that is really needed by the community,” said Hofschneider.
Public Health currently has 13 existing stations.
AIC Marianas said the project will cost about $5.58 million.
Hofschneider said the actual cost of the building expansion project, once completed, would be exceeding this amount due to the additional medical equipment and personnel that would be needed.
“This may actually reach about $10 million, much more than the amount in the contract, which was awarded about two weeks ago,” he added.
