Positive response from schools, communities

The Minstry of Health team has received a positive response to the National Meningococcal (Men-C) Programme carried out in schools, health centres, nursing stations and communities. The Programme is now rolled out in the Western and Northern Division. The Western Division is coordinated in Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Ra.

Nadi Health Centre coordinator, acting subdivisional nurse manager Fane Lavasani said they have a target of 32,700 children and teenagers aged one to 19 years.

“We started the programme on July 12 and we have been immunising 40 to 90 children daily at the Nadi Health Centre,” Mrs Lavasani said.

She said the team also visits schools in the afternoon and communities to raise awareness and also carry out immunisation.

“We have all the arrangements in place to follow the daily immunisation schedules,” she said.

“Our target for the Nadi subdivision is to immunise 32,700 children and teenagers aged one to 19 years and with the reports received so far more than 10,000 children have been immunised.” She said immunisation is also carried out at Nadi Hospital, Namaka Health Centre and Namaka Reproductive Health Clinic.

Acting sub-divisional nursing manager for Lautoka/ Yasawa, Melaia Neioko said that through good team coordination they have been able to complete immunisation at all the secondary schools in Lautoka.

“We have immunised over 4958 children at the secondary schools and we thank the parents who have given their consent,” Mrs Neioko said.

“We appeal to those who are yet to give the consent to do so.

“We have also received a good coverage rate at the 10 primary schools completed this week and there are a total of 50 primary schools to be covered in Lautoka.

Narawa, Nadi villager Siteri Dovu was glad to get her fouryear-old grandson immunised for Men-C by the team at Nadi Health Centre. “We are thankful to the Government for availing this vaccine for free and we hope that parents will make the right decision by ensuring that their children are immunised against MenC disease.”