Medical teams from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services will be administering Meningococcal C vaccinations to all students who have been granted written consent from their parents at the Navesau Adventist High School in Wainibuka starting tomorrow.
The Ministry of Health in a statement has confirmed that the vaccination was initially scheduled at the Navesau Adventist High School for today however, it was only due to the severe weather conditions caused by Tropical Cyclone Josie that the scheduled vaccination has been moved until tomorrow.
The Ministry adds that the Meningococcal C vaccinations that will be administered at the Navesau Adventist High School is the quadrivalent ACWY conjugate vaccine, Menactra.
It says the vaccine is a proven preventative to the spread of Men‑C and was used in Fiji last year to safely and effectively contain an outbreak of Men‑C at the St. Johns College.
The Health Ministry says students must provide signed consent forms from their parents to the medical team administering the vaccinations in order to receive the Men‑C vaccinations.
It says medical teams have already been on‑site at Navesau Adventist High School since 19 March providing regular medical checks to students and staff and administering antibiotic regimens.
The Health Ministry adds that medical staff will remain on school grounds to evaluate the status of students and staff at the Navesau Adventist School following the vaccine administration.
The Ministry has also urged all Fijians to help create clean, hygienic environments at home, schools and other communal spaces to help prevent the spread of Men‑C and other bacterial diseases in Fiji.
The Health Ministry is again urging anyone experiencing the symptoms of Men‑C to immediately go to the nearest health facility.
