Samoa's Prime Minister says he's "angry and disappointed" at those in Samoa who continue to avoid vaccinations, even as the country is shut down on Thursday under strict emergency laws.

The public has been banned from driving on the roads, ordered to stay home and wait for vaccinators.

Newshub witnessed young people refusing injections as emergency teams went door-to-door across the country.

The day started at dawn for the masked frontline fighting against Samoa's deadly epidemic.

We are hoping that the community will make use of this opportunity

Even parliamentary staffers were told to cease normal duties and help.

"We are hoping that the community will make use of this opportunity," Samoa's parliamentary clerk, Tiatia Tualaulelei, told Newshub.

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The entire nation of Samoa was ordered to "stay home" on Thursday. On the deserted streets, mobile teams were looking for red flags or bits of cloth, tied to posts outside homes.

For the mobile emergency vaccination team, red indicates that a family has not yet been immunised. 

Police were also out in force, checking vehicles and official paperwork.

Despite the death toll hitting 62, apprehension and resistance to the campaign continues. 

"He ran away. He's feeling scared," Wilson said.

A young man fled from the immunisation team at one property, refusing the vital vaccine offered by Waitemata DHB public health nurse Sue Wilson.

"He ran away. He's feeling scared," Wilson said.

Samoa's Prime Minister, who was only vaccinated on Wednesday, also spoke of witnessing young people refusing to be immunised.

"It is disappointing and I am very angry. Very angry in the sense that we have done all that is possible," Prime Minister Susuga Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said.

However, progress is being made. Now, 76 percent of infants - the group who are most vulnerable - have been vaccinated.

"To see children, the young ones growing up in the country... it's tough for parents and it's tough for everyone," father Savelio Ahcolt told Newshub.

"Seeing how small babies are passing away... it's like a cyclone that comes and just crashes away all the people," said local Faafeao Saienisi.

In Le'auva'a, village representative and elder Vaifale Sili told us five children in the community had recently been buried.

"I miss all the people in this village, from this family. Why do this? We say a prayer to God... don't know what has happened," she said.

Everyone is praying in Samoa - hoping the crisis will soon be over.