23,489 children immunised under the National Meningococcal Immunisation Program

A total of 23,489 children aged 1‑19 years across the Central Division and Ra Sub‑Division have been immunised under the National Meningococcal Immunisation Program from the 14th of this month to date.

The Ministry of Health in a statement says the nation‑wide mass immunisation campaign aims to vaccinate up to 325,000 children and adolescents against meningococcal C disease.

It adds that the immunisation program began in the Central Division and Ra subdivision on 14th of this month and will continue until the 29th of next month.

The Health Ministry is targeting all children and teenagers aged 1‑19 years and is currently delivering vaccinations to all schools, health centres and nursing stations within the Central Division and Ra Subdivision.

It says that the immunisation roll out to the Western, Northern and Eastern Divisions will follow.

The Health Ministry advises that meningococcal immunisation is safe and effective and is used in many immunisation programs around the world.

Whilst the rollout is carried out in the Central Division and Ra Sub‑Division, the Family Health team is also conducting trainings for the nurses in the Northern Division.

The health workers will work to immunise the children and adolescents across Fiji, with the campaign initially focusing on the most at risk groups.