Five people have died overnight in Samoa, bringing the death toll to 60 as the measles epidemic continues to kill the most vulnerable.

Of the 60 that have died, 54 were children under the age of 15, while 25 were babies aged less than one year old. Three deaths have now been recorded for adults over the age of 19.

CHRIS MCKEEN/STUFF Line Tagaloa takes precaution by wearing a surgical mask to prevent infection.

In the last 24 hours a further 171 cases have also been confirmed by the Ministry of Health.

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More than 55 per cent of Samoa's total population of over 200,000 have been vaccinated since October 1.

The Government hopes to increase that figure to 90 percent during a two-day shutdown which begins on Thursday - with roads closed to non-essential vehicles, inter-island travel banned and citizens ordered to stay at home. Non-vaccinated locals have been asked to pin a red cloth to the front of vulnerable homes so they can be easily identified.

CHRIS MCKEEN/STUFF Dozens of people have died in Samoa as measles ravages the island nation.

In a statement, the Samoan Ministry of Health confirmed 4052 measles cases have been reported since the outbreak started.

There are currently 177 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.

Donate via Unicef here to help get more children in Samoa immunised against measles.