Free meningococcal vaccines will be provided by the government - Akbar

Free meningococcal vaccines will be provided by the government after they purchase the vaccines from the overseas suppliers.

Health Minister, Rosy Akbar has confirmed this to Legend FM News.

While giving her ministerial statement in parliament, Akbar says there have been 4 confirmed meningococcal disease-related deaths and two suspected from January 1st to April 12th this year.

Akbar says as at April 12th, all cases were below the age of 19 years.

There were 46 cases from January 1st to April 12th this year where 22 of these are confirmed cases and 24 are either suspected or probable cases of similar symptoms.

She says the Central Division reported 27 cases, Western Division reported 16 cases, Eastern Division recorded 1 case and the Northern Division recorded 2 cases.

Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has already confirmed that cabinet has approved the procurement of meningococcal vaccines to vaccinate every Fijian from 19 years of age and below.

Akbar says health authorities have found that people in that age category are the most affected by meningococcal.

She says they are also considering vaccinations for some health staff.

Approximately 345,000 Fijians are expected to be vaccinated.      

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

Sayed-Khaiyum says government may have to approve $40m dollars for this procurement.