Measles vaccination is in stock at Samabula Health Centre

Measles vaccination is in stock at the Samabula Health Centre although there are claims that the shots have run out.

Fijivillage received some complaints yesterday that the health centre ran out of measles vaccination during the day and people were turned away.

We have received confirmation that the health centre vaccinating people until 7pm last night and this is continuing today.

Free vaccine is available at your nearest health centre for people aged 12 months and above who are travelling overseas or to an outbreak area.

Babies aged between 6 and 12 months can also get vaccinated if they are travelling to an area with an ongoing outbreak of measles but they still need to receive their next scheduled measles vaccines as per the Fiji immunisation schedule.

The Ministry has stressed that pregnant women should not be vaccinated.

The symptoms of measles are fever and a rash with runny nose, sneezing, cough, red and watery eyes and white spots inside the mouth.

The rash starts after the other symptoms and spreads all over the body.

Measles is a highly infectious airborne viral disease that spreads easily through the air through breathing, coughing and sneezing.

You are at risk of getting measles if you breathe the same air as someone with the disease and you are not immune if you have not been vaccinated, or you have never had the disease.

There is no specific treatment for measles, as it is the body’s immune system that fights off the disease.

Most people recover from measles infection in 8-10 days with rest and ensuring that they are eating and drinking to avoid dehydration.

Some people infected with measles develop severe complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis (brain swelling).