ONLY students who have been given the green light from their parents to get vaccinated by health officials will receive the meningococcal vaccination at Navesau Adventist High School today.
This was confirmed by the Ministry of Health in a statement issued yesterday.
The ministry will start its two-day vaccination program at the school after three students were diagnosed with the life-threatening meningococcal disease at the school two weeks ago.
Students will be vaccinated with the quadrivalent ACWY conjugate vaccine (menactra). The vaccination program is part of the ministry’s $10 million allocation towards combatting the spread of men-C in Fiji.
The vaccination scheduled at the Navesau Adventist High School was initially scheduled to be held yesterday, the statement read, adding that it was because of the severe weather caused by Tropical Cyclone Josie that the scheduled vaccination was moved to today.
The vaccine is proven to prevent the spread of men-C and was used in Fiji last year to safely and effectively contain an outbreak of men-C at St John’s College, the statement read.
“Medical teams from the Ministry of Health have already been on-site at Navesau Adventist High School since March 19 providing regular medical checks to students and staff members and administering antibiotic regimens.”
The statement said a medical team would remain at the school to monitor students and staff members who receive the vaccination.
“The ministry urges all Fijians to help create clean, hygienic environments at homes, schools and other communal spaces to help prevent the spread of men-C and other bacterial diseases in Fiji,” the statement said.
