MEASLES vaccine is in limited supply, says the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
And the ministry says it has informed members of the public of the shortage.
“For this reason, the remaining measles vaccine stock will be prioritised to those who are at the greatest risk of catching and spreading measles and it is not available for the general public until additional stocks arrive in the coming days,” the ministry said in a Government statement issued last night.
It states the present stocks are now reserved for high-risk target groups only.
These groups include:
- Residents of Serua/Namosi;
- Children from the ages of six months to three years; and
- People travelling overseas – proof of travel must be shown – ticket/travel itinerary, not just a passport
The ministry said the routine immunisation of children at 12 and 18 months of age would continue according to the national immunisation schedule.
The only exceptions to those in the above groups are pregnant women, those with compromised immune systems, and those with a known allergy to the vaccine.
These people should not be vaccinated, says the ministry.
Read more in tomorrow’s edition of The Fiji Times.