Cabinet approves procurement of meningococcal vaccines to vaccinate all Fijians 19 years of age and below

Cabinet has approved the procurement of meningococcal vaccines to vaccinate every Fijian from 19 years of age and below.

Approximately 345,000 Fijians are expected to be vaccinated.

This was highlighted in parliament by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum when NFP’s Parmod Chand asked as to what steps are being taken by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in ensuring that there is uniformity in prices of meningococcal vaccines retailed by pharmacies.

Sayed-Khaiyum says in order to access vaccines, government is working with the United Nations Children's Fund and World Health Organsation who are currently trying to source the drugs for government, as all these drugs are made by private pharmaceutical companies.

He says it is outbreak season in Africa and because there is a huge demand for the vaccines in Africa, there is a worldwide demand for this vaccine and this has a huge impact on pricing.

Sayed Khaiyum says government may have to approve $40 million for this procurement.

[Photo: Parliament of Fiji]

SODELPA MP Viliame Gavoka then asked if money is going to be an issue for the procurement of the meningococcal vaccine.

[Photo: Parliament of Fiji]

NFP Leader Biman Prasad then asked the Acting Prime Minister if the pharmacies selling at higher prices was a fraud.

[Photo: Parliament of Fiji]

Sayed-Khaiyum says meningococcal vaccine is not price controlled because it is not a vaccine that is in use every day or is required every day.

He says the price of goods in Fiji is not controlled by government but is controlled by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission which is an independent body.