Rising Measles Cases in Neighbouring Countries Put Solomon Islands at High Risk

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is issuing an urgent public health alert to the public following an increase in measles cases across neighbouring countries in the Pacific namely Australia and New Zealand.

This rise in cases has placed the Solomon Islands at heightened risk of measles importation.

In September 2025, Solomon Islands along with other Pacific Island Countries and areas, was validated to have eliminated measles and rubella. However, a single imported case of measles would constitute an outbreak.

Given the frequent travel and movement of people between countries across the region, the chance of measles entering the Solomon Islands has increased significantly.

The coverage for 1^st dose of measles vaccine for 2024 was 78%. From January to June 2025, coverage for the first is 62% and second dose is 43.3%. These coverage figures are far below the WHO-recommended 95% coverage for each dose needed to prevent outbreaks. As of June 2025, more than 2000 children are estimated to have missed their 1^st dose of measles vaccine. The Ministry is taking this situation seriously and calls on all parents and guardians to act now to protect their children and communities.

Measles is contagious and can be severe

Measles is one of the most infectious viruses known. It spreads through coughing, sneezing, talking, or even being in a room where an infected person recently stood. Once introduced into an unvaccinated population, it can spread rapidly.

Measles can lead to serious complications, including:

• Encephalitis (brain inflammation), which can cause seizures, permanent disability, or death

• Pneumonia
• Severe diarrhoea and dehydration

• Blindness

• Ear infections, sometimes leading to hearing loss

Young children, especially those under five years old, are the most vulnerable. However, anyone who is unvaccinated is at risk.

Vaccination: The Best and Safest Protection

The Ministry strongly urges all parents and guardians to ensure their children are fully vaccinated against measles. Children should receive two doses of the measles vaccine for full protection.

The measles vaccine is:

• Safe
• Highly effective at preventing infection and severe illness
• Available at all clinics, health centres, and hospitals nationwide

• Free

If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status, visit your nearest health facility to check their record.

What the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is doing

The Ministry of Health is taking proactive steps to protect the country:

1. Strengthening surveillance across all provinces to quickly detect and report any person with acute fever and rash (suspected measles) for further investigation.
2. Stepping up routine and outreach immunisation, focusing on communities where there are children less than 2 years old, who have not received any measles vaccine or have received only 1 dose.
3. Preparing response plans in case an imported case is detected.
4. Continue public measles educational awareness to inform families about the risks of measles and the importance of vaccination.

However, preventing an outbreak requires support from families and communities across the nation.

What parents and guardians must do now.

To protect your child and the wider community, parents and guardians to adhere to the following:

• MUST Bring your child to the nearest clinic for measles vaccination if they have missed any dose of measles vaccine.
• MUST Check your child’s baby book to confirm they have received two doses.
• MUST Watch for symptoms, which include:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red eyes
  • Rash starting on the face and spreading to the body
• MUST Seek medical care immediately if you suspect measles and avoid contact with others to prevent spread.

Protecting Our Nation Together

Vaccination protects not only your family but also vulnerable groups — such as infants too young for vaccination, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and the elderly. High vaccination coverage (around 95%) is essential to prevent an outbreak. The Ministry emphasises that measles is preventable, and timely vaccination is the most powerful tool we have.

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-MHMS Press Release