National immunisation campaign to continue for the target groups

The Ministry of Health says the National measles immunisation campaign for the target groups will still be offered at health centres in Central Division.

They say in the Western, Northern, and Eastern Divisions they will continue to focus on reaching people through house-to-house visits and at health centres, with the aim of vaccinating at least 95% of people in the target groups.

The Ministry is also in discussions with the Ministry of Education to have measles vaccine available on-campus for un-vaccinated students returning for the academic year at tertiary institutions.

The national Measles campaign is targeting people who are most at risk of being infected by measles and spreading the disease:

·         All children aged 6 months to 5 years regardless of prior vaccination history

·         All people born between 1980 and 2000 (19 to 39-year olds who should have ID available if asked)

·         Any child who has not received 2 doses of a measles vaccine according to the national immunisation schedule

·         Any child aged 12 and 18 months in Fiji who are due their routine measles immunisation according to the national immunisation schedule

·         Any person travelling overseas (with evidence of travel i.e. a travel itinerary or ticket)

·         All health care workers

·         All airport and port-of-entry workers, and hotel staff