Measles outbreak: 130,000 vaccinated in first immunisation phase

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Members of the public queue to get their measles vaccination at Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva yesterday. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU

SOME 130,000 Fijians were vaccinated during the first phase of the mass immunisation campaign for measles.

These figures were revealed by the health protection office of the Ministry of Health as it rolled out the second phase of the mass immunisation campaign on Wednesday, December 4.

Immunisation outreach posts have been set up in:

  • Nausori (health centre and the old market);
  • Valelevu (health centre and Valelevu ground);
  • Raiwaqa (health centre ground);
  • Lami (town);
  • Suva (Nuffield grounds, Dokanai Suva Police Post, Sukuna Park, My Suva Park, Extra Supermarket Flagstaff);
  • Makoi (health centre, Hansons Supermarket); and
  • Samabula (health centre).

These posts are open from 8am to 8pm – Monday to Friday.

Head of Health Protection Dr Aalisha Sahukhan as part of phase two, they intend to cover populations who did not get vaccinated in the first phase and had been identified as most at risk of getting measles as well as spreading it.

In the Central Division only, the campaign will target all children aged 6 months to 5 years. This includes all people born between 1980 and 2000 (19 to 39-year-olds), as well as all residents of Serua/Namosi aged 6 months and older.

“Apart from the immunisation, we’re advising people that in order to avoid catching and spreading measles, they should avoid mass gatherings at this time, especially in the Central Division,” Dr Sahukhan said.

“For the rest of Fiji, we’re asking to avoid gatherings that involve people who come from different parts of the country as well as from overseas.”

Since the last update on December 2, 2019, there are now 16 confirmed cases of measles.

The latest confirmed case is a 24-year-old from Sakoca in Tacirua, Suva.

Dr Sahukan said the Suva Subdivisional Outbreak Response Team had rapidly responded to that case.

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