Tokelau measures and border control against Measles epidemic
19.11.19, Nukunonu – The Tokelau government and Administrator of Tokelau are taking all necessary steps
to protect the general population of Tokelau from the measles epidemic currently ravaging Samoa.
Administrator Ross Ardern getting tested by Dr Hla at Fakaofo wharf end of October 2019.
In a meeting with departmental heads yesterday, the Council expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work
headed by the Health department. They also urged maintaining high alert, vigilance and to provide more
information to the public.
To date, Tokelau has no recorded measles case hence the priority focus on strengthening border control to
reduce risk of importing of measles from Samoa and other neighboring countries.
One of the new measures that will come into effect starting on 26 th November is the need for travelers to
Tokelau to ‘show proof of vaccination done more than 2-weeks ago’. If proof of vaccination was less than 2-
weeks ago, then “the passenger will remain in Apia until the completion of the 2-weeks before they will be
allowed to travel to Tokelau.” The border restriction starts on 26 th November 2019 until further advice.
The measles status quo is: “Tokelau has a 100% MMR immunization coverage rate for our new born with
first dose at 12 months and second dose at 15 months. We have had this immunization schedule for years so
most of our people are immunized,” said Dr Silivia Tavite, Tokelau’s Director of Health.
“In the current measles preventative approach, we have introduced the MR at 6-months and then MMR at 12
and 15-months respectively as per usual Tokelau immunization schedule.”
But there are still risks from those that were not born in Tokelau. To cover these risks, all hospitals in
Tokelau (Atafu, Nukunonu, Fakaofo) are providing MR vaccines for:
● all health workers
● 14-21 years age group
● those travelling out of Tokelau
● those who are not sure if vaccinated already
● those who are 60+ above
● Post-natal mothers (immediately after delivery)
Tokelau staff in Apia can access vaccination in Samoa either at the hospital or at the private clinics. For
Tokelauans who are unsure of their vaccination status or who may need assistance they can call Mrs Liza
Kele, Tokelau’s Health Manager, Apia (685 20822) at the Tokelau Apia Liaison Office (TALO).
FOR THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC
Passengers travelling to Tokelau are advised to make sure they have vaccination before they travel to
Tokelau at least 14 days prior to travelling.
Travelling passengers from outside of Samoa need to be vaccinated 2-weeks prior to travelling to Apia
to avoid picking up the virus in Apia. While in Apia, they are adviced to avoid being around crowded
places to reduce risk of picking up the virus.
As part of International Health Regulations to protect the people of Tokelau from imported measles to
Tokelau, travelling passengers need to show proof of vaccination to the transport officer/health
officials in Samoa prior to traveling to Tokelau; if they cannot, that passenger will not be allowed to
travel to Tokelau. If passenger shows proof of vaccination but it is less than 2-weeks ago, then the
passenger will remain back in Apia until completion of the 2-weeks before travelling to Tokelau.
This border restriction will be enforced on the 26th November 2019 until further advice.
Tokelau nationals travelling to Tokelau and affected by this border restriction when arriving in Apia
will need to contact Mrs Liza Kele at the TALO office for further support
All hospitals in Tokelau are providing vaccination for those travelling out of Tokelau to boost
immunity and this needs to be done 2-weeks prior to travelling out to Apia.
BORDER CONTROL SCREENING
In Apia
The Tokelau Health team in Apia screen all passengers in Apia before passengers depart on the boat
and any person having three or more of the signs and symptoms of measles will be asked to stay back
in Apia under the Tokelau Patient Referral Scheme (TPRS) scheme.
On Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu
Screening will be done for all passengers upon arrival in each atoll by the local health teams and follow
through for the first 2-weeks to ensure these passengers do not import the virus to Tokelau.
Passengers from Apia bound for the atolls only get off on the designated atoll. This means that
passengers from Apia to Atafu do not go ashore in Fakaofo and Nukunonu. Transport team in each
village will enforce this restriction on each atoll.
Passengers from the other atolls travelling to another atoll within Tokelau do not need to be screened at
the moment. The department will closely monitor the situation and provide further advice if these inter-
atoll passengers need to be screened.
HEALTH INFORMATION AND AWARENESS
In the three atolls
The health team in each atoll continues the ongoing awareness raising on preventative measures for the
whole community. Pamphlets are available for everyone with advice on preventative approaches
Outside of Tokelau
Use the Tokelau Health facebook page and Government of Tokelau website to share information on the
preventative approaches for measles in Tokelau especially for those outside of Tokelau planning to
travel to Tokelau.
Work closely with the Department of Transport with regards to travelling passengers to Tokelau
Any person needing further information to contact the respective hospitals or the Department Head Office in
Nukunonu. In Apia, contact our Health team at TALO for further information (more contact details below).
HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS FOR ANY SUSPECTED CASE
All hospitals are prepared to manage any suspected case(s) with sufficient resources. Infection control
and Universal precaution have been strengthened in all hospitals.
For more information: Dr Silivia Tavite, Director of Health Em: stdrtavite@gmail.com or Mr Aukusitino
Vitale, General Manager, National: Em: tino.vitale@tokelau.org,nz
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Dr. Silivia Tavite, Director of Health
Health Head Office
Phone (690) 2421; 24212
Email: s tdrtavite@gmail.com
Nukunonu
Dr. Alani Tangitau, Chief Clinical Advisor/
Chief Medical Officer, St. Joseph Hospital
Phone (690) 24111
Email: a lanitangitau@yahoo.com
Mr. Alapati Tavite, Chief Public Health Advisor
Health Head Office
Phone (690) 24211; 24212
Email: alapatitavite@gmail.com
Atafu
Dr. Susana Leitu, Medical Officer
Lomaloma Hospital
Phone (690) 22112
Email: leihana@gmail.com
Fakaofo
Dr. Hla Thein, Medical officer
Fanuafala Hospital
Phone (690) 23114
Email: nickygolf913@gmail.com
Lolo Tuumuli
Public Health Officer
Phone (690) 23114
Email: lolo.tuumuli@tokelau.org.nz
Samoa
Liza Kele, Health Manager Apia
TALO office
NPF Plaza, Apia
Phone (685) 20822
Email: liza.lui@tokelau.org.nz
to protect the general population of Tokelau from the measles epidemic currently ravaging Samoa.
Administrator Ross Ardern getting tested by Dr Hla at Fakaofo wharf end of October 2019.
In a meeting with departmental heads yesterday, the Council expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work
headed by the Health department. They also urged maintaining high alert, vigilance and to provide more
information to the public.
To date, Tokelau has no recorded measles case hence the priority focus on strengthening border control to
reduce risk of importing of measles from Samoa and other neighboring countries.
One of the new measures that will come into effect starting on 26 th November is the need for travelers to
Tokelau to ‘show proof of vaccination done more than 2-weeks ago’. If proof of vaccination was less than 2-
weeks ago, then “the passenger will remain in Apia until the completion of the 2-weeks before they will be
allowed to travel to Tokelau.” The border restriction starts on 26 th November 2019 until further advice.
The measles status quo is: “Tokelau has a 100% MMR immunization coverage rate for our new born with
first dose at 12 months and second dose at 15 months. We have had this immunization schedule for years so
most of our people are immunized,” said Dr Silivia Tavite, Tokelau’s Director of Health.
“In the current measles preventative approach, we have introduced the MR at 6-months and then MMR at 12
and 15-months respectively as per usual Tokelau immunization schedule.”
But there are still risks from those that were not born in Tokelau. To cover these risks, all hospitals in
Tokelau (Atafu, Nukunonu, Fakaofo) are providing MR vaccines for:
● all health workers
● 14-21 years age group
● those travelling out of Tokelau
● those who are not sure if vaccinated already
● those who are 60+ above
● Post-natal mothers (immediately after delivery)
Tokelau staff in Apia can access vaccination in Samoa either at the hospital or at the private clinics. For
Tokelauans who are unsure of their vaccination status or who may need assistance they can call Mrs Liza
Kele, Tokelau’s Health Manager, Apia (685 20822) at the Tokelau Apia Liaison Office (TALO).
FOR THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC
Passengers travelling to Tokelau are advised to make sure they have vaccination before they travel to
Tokelau at least 14 days prior to travelling.
Travelling passengers from outside of Samoa need to be vaccinated 2-weeks prior to travelling to Apia
to avoid picking up the virus in Apia. While in Apia, they are adviced to avoid being around crowded
places to reduce risk of picking up the virus.
As part of International Health Regulations to protect the people of Tokelau from imported measles to
Tokelau, travelling passengers need to show proof of vaccination to the transport officer/health
officials in Samoa prior to traveling to Tokelau; if they cannot, that passenger will not be allowed to
travel to Tokelau. If passenger shows proof of vaccination but it is less than 2-weeks ago, then the
passenger will remain back in Apia until completion of the 2-weeks before travelling to Tokelau.
This border restriction will be enforced on the 26th November 2019 until further advice.
Tokelau nationals travelling to Tokelau and affected by this border restriction when arriving in Apia
will need to contact Mrs Liza Kele at the TALO office for further support
All hospitals in Tokelau are providing vaccination for those travelling out of Tokelau to boost
immunity and this needs to be done 2-weeks prior to travelling out to Apia.
BORDER CONTROL SCREENING
In Apia
The Tokelau Health team in Apia screen all passengers in Apia before passengers depart on the boat
and any person having three or more of the signs and symptoms of measles will be asked to stay back
in Apia under the Tokelau Patient Referral Scheme (TPRS) scheme.
On Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu
Screening will be done for all passengers upon arrival in each atoll by the local health teams and follow
through for the first 2-weeks to ensure these passengers do not import the virus to Tokelau.
Passengers from Apia bound for the atolls only get off on the designated atoll. This means that
passengers from Apia to Atafu do not go ashore in Fakaofo and Nukunonu. Transport team in each
village will enforce this restriction on each atoll.
Passengers from the other atolls travelling to another atoll within Tokelau do not need to be screened at
the moment. The department will closely monitor the situation and provide further advice if these inter-
atoll passengers need to be screened.
HEALTH INFORMATION AND AWARENESS
In the three atolls
The health team in each atoll continues the ongoing awareness raising on preventative measures for the
whole community. Pamphlets are available for everyone with advice on preventative approaches
Outside of Tokelau
Use the Tokelau Health facebook page and Government of Tokelau website to share information on the
preventative approaches for measles in Tokelau especially for those outside of Tokelau planning to
travel to Tokelau.
Work closely with the Department of Transport with regards to travelling passengers to Tokelau
Any person needing further information to contact the respective hospitals or the Department Head Office in
Nukunonu. In Apia, contact our Health team at TALO for further information (more contact details below).
HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS FOR ANY SUSPECTED CASE
All hospitals are prepared to manage any suspected case(s) with sufficient resources. Infection control
and Universal precaution have been strengthened in all hospitals.
For more information: Dr Silivia Tavite, Director of Health Em: stdrtavite@gmail.com or Mr Aukusitino
Vitale, General Manager, National: Em: tino.vitale@tokelau.org,nz
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Dr. Silivia Tavite, Director of Health
Health Head Office
Phone (690) 2421; 24212
Email: s tdrtavite@gmail.com
Nukunonu
Dr. Alani Tangitau, Chief Clinical Advisor/
Chief Medical Officer, St. Joseph Hospital
Phone (690) 24111
Email: a lanitangitau@yahoo.com
Mr. Alapati Tavite, Chief Public Health Advisor
Health Head Office
Phone (690) 24211; 24212
Email: alapatitavite@gmail.com
Atafu
Dr. Susana Leitu, Medical Officer
Lomaloma Hospital
Phone (690) 22112
Email: leihana@gmail.com
Fakaofo
Dr. Hla Thein, Medical officer
Fanuafala Hospital
Phone (690) 23114
Email: nickygolf913@gmail.com
Lolo Tuumuli
Public Health Officer
Phone (690) 23114
Email: lolo.tuumuli@tokelau.org.nz
Samoa
Liza Kele, Health Manager Apia
TALO office
NPF Plaza, Apia
Phone (685) 20822
Email: liza.lui@tokelau.org.nz