People above the age of 39 can get vaccinated after Boxing Day, Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said.

Previously, target groups were from the age of 19 to 39. Dr Waqainabete said they had extra vaccines available and this age group could visit any health centre.

He had spent a day visiting health centres, villages and the Savusavu Sub-divisional Hospital in Vanua Levu where the measles immunisation campaign was held on Monday.

He complimented the efforts put in by doctors and nurses in making sure they reached out to the target groups since the outbreak was declared on November 7, 2019.

“I am confident that we will complete the vaccination of target groups by end of Christmas Eve,” Dr Waqainabete said.

“Target groups are all children aged six months to five years, people born between 1980 and 2000, children who haven’t received two doses of measles according to the national immunisation schedule, health workers, airport and port entry workers and hotel staff and any person in Fiji traveling to overseas.”

He said their advisory for measles against mass gathers continued.

“Christmas and Boxing Day holidays are an opportune time for families to spend some quiet time together,” he said.

“I am confident that once we complete this immunisation campaign for the highest risk groups, we will be okay as a nation for the New year.”

There are now 24 confirmed cases of measles in Fiji.

Edited by Ivamere Nataro