The national measles immunisation campaign is now running in all Divisions
Since the outbreak was declared on Thursday 7 November 2019, approximately 235,000 people in Fiji have been immunised against measles.
The Ministry of Health is urging parents of children aged 6 months to 5 years of age to get their children immunised during this campaign as children under the age of 5 are most at risk of being infected by measles and developing the complications of the disease.
In order to reach these children, and the other target groups, the Ministry is closing some outreach posts in Central Division and sending more teams house to house to provide vaccinations. This information has been updated in the daily measles advisories.
From Wednesday 18 December, the following outreach posts will be closed in Central Division:
- Dokanai Suva Police Post
- My Suva Park
- RB Centrepoint
- Opposite Rajendra supermarket, Nabua
- Lami Tikaram Park
In addition to house to house visits, immunisation for all target groups will still be available at all Ministry of Health and Medical Services health centres and nursing stations.
Immunisation outreach posts will also still be open Monday-Friday at the following locations in Central Division:
| Nausori | Nausori old market
Nausori Health Centre Nakasi Health Centre Rups Mega Complex Wainibokasi Hospital |
9am to 6pm |
| Valelevu | Valelevu grounds
Valelevu Health Centre |
9am to 6pm |
| Raiwaqa | Raiwaqa Health Centre grounds | 9am to 6pm |
| Lami | Lami Health Centre
Lami Town Council Building |
9am to 6pm |
| Suva | Sukuna Park | 9am to 6pm |
| Makoi | Makoi Health Centre
Makoi Maternity Unit |
9am to 6pm |
| Samabula | Samabula Health Centre | 9am to 6pm |
Immunisation will continue to be available as previously advised in Western, Northern and Eastern Divisions.
The national 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
- 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
The only exceptions to those in the above groups are pregnant women, children under the age of 6 months, those with compromised immune systems (including those on immunosuppressive medication/treatment), and those with a known allergy to the vaccine. These people should not be vaccinated.
People aged 40 and over are not a target group. They are likely to have had measles as a child (before the vaccine was introduced) and therefore have life-long immunity.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to acknowledge the assistance provided by UNICEF and the Australian and New Zealand Governments in securing vaccines for Fiji. And we also thank the World Health Organisation for their continuous technical support.
