The Oceania Football Confederation has amended the 2019 OFC U-16 Women’s Championship regulation to be played on December 2019 in Tahiti after measles outbreak in the Western Pacific region.
According to WHO, several countries in the Western Pacific Region are experiencing measles outbreaks, therefore OFC is ensuring players are protected and has amended the tournament regulations for participating countries to comply, to minimize player risk and from spreading to other countries.
OFC Exco took decisions last week to have all persons traveling for football competitions to NZ, Samoa and Tonga or any other countries where these named countries are also participating must obtain vaccine against measles at least 14 days before leaving their country as compulsory.
In a circular to OFC Member Associations, OFC Competition Manager Chris Kemp said attending the OFC competition is unlikely to increase the risk of getting measles any more than just being in the community day to day and chances are that someone who is not immune and are not vaccinated may catch the disease.
Vanuatu Football Federation is assuring players and citizens that it will comply with the medical requirements to ensure safety of everyone during and after the tournament.
The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India as the OFC representatives.
