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FSM President Approved Emergency Immunization Regulations

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): July 31, 1997 - On July 11, 1997, President Jacob Nena issued an emergency regulation requiring all school children to be immunized. The new required immunizations of school children in the FSM reflects up-to-date medical recommendations regarding vaccines and required doses.

The required doses include the followings: five doses for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis; four doses for polio; three doses for hepatitis B; and two doses for measles, mumps and rubella.

There currently exists a measles epidemic in New Zealand and Tonga, which caused the nations of Kiribati and the Solomon Islands to institute emergency campaigns to contain measles and prevent the introduction of the disease.

Guam has also begun an intensive campaign to immunize its children, Nena says.

In the last outbreak of 1994, 13 children died in the FSM from measles infection. The children of the FSM are currently at risk. It is of utmost importance that all children are immunized against measles and other significant child diseases. All children must receive the required immunizations prior to attending school. The regulations will be in effect for 120 days from the date of the adoption which is July 10, 1997.