We don't have any Fijians with measles because 95% of the vulnerable have been immunized - Waqainabete

Minister for Health, Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete says to date we do not have any Fijian with measles because 95 percent of the vulnerable have been immunized.

Dr. Waqainabete made this comment in parliament after Opposition Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka asked Dr.Waqainabete whether he will be making a statement to the nation in regards to measles  particularly those who have relatives in Auckland and those who may be travelling to Auckland.

Dr. Waqainabete says there was a person who had signs and symptoms of measles that flew into the country.

He says the person was identified who had come for a family function.

The Health Minister says the family members were spoken to but they were protected because they were immunized.

Dr. Waqainabete says the vulnerable are below the age of one and elders who may not have had the vaccination in 1983.

He says any Fijian travelling to New Zealand or any other first world country should present themselves at a health facility for vaccination if they think they have not been immunized.

He says they have had challenges where some parents or children have decided not to heave measles vaccination.

Measles is an infection caused by a virus.

Once quite common, measles can now almost always be prevented with a vaccine.

Also called rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children.

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