The death toll in Samoa's measles epidemic has risen to at least 55, with children making up almost all of the dead.
As the Samoan government ramps up its mass immunisation campaign, it estimates that 67 percent of infants aged six months to four years old are now vaccinated, and 81 percent of children aged five to 19 years old.
Most branches of government , except for water and electricity services, will close on Thursday and Friday so that public servants can be devoted to the immunisation effort.
Kim Hill speaks to Dr Alan Wright, who is the New Zealand Medical Assistance team leader in Samoa.
