Ministry targets 236,000 children for Measles Rubella Immunization

The Ministry of Health is targeting to reach 236,000 children within the age range of 1 to 10 years during their Fiji Measles Rubella National Supplementary Immunization Activity which was launched today.

Speaking at the launch, National Advisor for Family Health,  Doctor Torika Tamani says Fiji has had three successful immunization campaigns, that was last held in 2006.

Tamani says immunization coverage for Measles and Rubella has been below 90 percent in the last five years for the first dose and the second dose is estimated to be lower.

She says Fiji has recently changed its immunization schedule for Measles and Rubella dose at the age of 12 months and the second dose at 18 months is given at the school entry up until May 2017.

Tamani says there are also threats of people carrying Measles into the country.

Tamani says immunization is critical to ensure that no Fijian child dies from Measles or is born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome.

She says Rubella Virus is the leading infection because of birth defects when pregnant women become infected.

Tamani says there is no specific treatment for Measles or Rubella, however it can be prevented by the vaccine which is safe and effective.