W. Sumatra needs measles vaccine

PADANG, West Sumatra: More than 65,000 children in 383 villages in West Sumatra aged between nine and less than five years old need immediate measles vaccination.

Head of the provincial health office, Firdaus, said here yesterday that all the villages, located in 14 regencies, were categorized as high risk.

"Measles is extremely hazardous to children's health, including the social environment of the child," he said as quoted by Antara.

He did not say what steps would be taken by the province to help these villages. (mds)