200,000 measles vaccines arrive in Fiji

A batch of 200,000 measles vaccines has arrived in Fiji from India, prompting the second phase of the country's measles immunization campaign.

There are now 15 confirmed cases in Fiji with the latest patient a 38-year-old from Nakelo, which is 28km from the capital of Suva.

The Health Ministry's Sunil Chandra said phase one of the campaign saw close to 100,000 people vaccinated.

That included more than 20,000 people in the outbreak area of Serua/Namosi, he said.

The immunisation campaign would target children who had not received two doses of the measles vaccine, any child aged 12 and 18 months who was due for immunisation, persons travelling overseas, healthcare workers and all airport and hotel staff around the country.

In Fiji's Central Division, the ministry would also target children aged six months to five years, those born between 1980 and 2000, and all residents of Serua/Namosi aged six months and older.

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