ABOUT 20,000 children between the ages of 1-19 years will be immunised in the Eastern Division this week through the second phase of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ national meningococcal vaccination program.
In a statement released on Saturday, the ministry confirmed that an immunisation team left on the mobile hospital vessel MLC Veivueti to carry out the vaccination program in the Eastern Division.
The program, which initially started in the Central Division and Ra subdivision on May 14 this year has seen more than 100,000 children aged between 1 to 19 years vaccinated.
The ministry said during the first phase of the vaccination program where 124,830 doses made available, 124,920 children were immunised in the Central Division and Ra subdivision.
The second phase of the program saw 200,000 doses made available, of which more than 94,000 children in the Western Division were immunised.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Government through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) contributed $F1.41m to the national Men-C immunisation program.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar acknowledged the timely contribution and thanked all parents and guardians who have consented to have their children immunised.
The vaccination program will roll out in Levuka, Lomaiviti Group (Koro, Gau, Batiki, Moturiki, Nairai), Kadavu, Rotuma and Lakeba along with other islands in Lau Group and continue thereafter.
