By Eleanor Gee

Tonga’s high MR vaccination rate of 99 percent has so far saved Tongans from rising measles related fatalities that neighbouring Samoa is experiencing, as health professionals continue to fight the epidemic.

Tonga’s Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akauola told Matangi Tonga today, 26 November, that the high vaccination rate was due to many years of dedicated work by public health nurses and doctors working together with the community to achieve this outcome.

“I wish to name few people who were very active and set the high standards required in this area in the past, people like Sister Pisila Sovaleni, Sister Sela Paasi and Dr Tilitili Puloka.”

“Now we have Dr Reynold Ofanoa and Sister Afu Tei continuing on doing their best to sustain the high vaccination coverage for the public,” he said.

Although measles are still affecting those already vaccinated, Dr 'Akauola confirmed the symptoms were mild because of the vaccinations.

Measles cases increase

As of 19 November, 310 cases of confirmed or suspected measles had been identified in Tonga according to the latest Health Situation Report dated 20 November.

While 272 cases were recorded in Tongatapu and 38 cases in Vava’u, measles has now spread to ‘Eua with two cases confirmed and one in Ha’apai. In Niuatoputapu, there is one suspected case.

Measles continues to mostly affect those aged 10-24 years.

While Tonga has 4,000 doses of MR vaccination earmarked for childhood scheduled vaccines, another 13,000 doses of MR vaccines have been requested from UNICEF, which plans to send 7,000 doses of MR vaccine as soon as possible.

Measles vaccination programs

Ministry of Health teams have been very busy providing vaccination programs in communities on Tongatapu. Church leaders have been encouraging people to ensure they are vaccinated and Town Officers have been busy announcing public vaccination schedules in each district. 

Vaccination programs have already started in ‘Eua and Ha’apai on 20 November and 19 November respectively.

Primary Schools that were closed by the government from 14 to 25 November to minimize the measles outbreak will remain closed.

Dr Ofa Tukia, from the NCD-Health Promotion Unit, said school children would only be allowed back at school to attend their prize giving ceremony and then they would be released on school holidays.

The current target groups for vaccinations during this outbreak include those between the ages of 10 and 24 years who were the most affected group; children aged 6 to 11 months as they were the most vulnerable due to immature immunity to fight measles virus; and travelers, she said.

Travelers that fall in the current target age group who have not been vaccinated or are unsure of their vaccination history should attend the vaccination program.

Dr ‘Akauola confirmed people who had already had MR vaccinations would not be harmed if they were vaccinated again. People who previously had the measles were considered to be immune for life.

“This is why we rarely see measles cases in people over 35-40 years old. Most of these people had childhood measles and acquired strong lifelong immunity.”