The Ministry of Health is urging parents to ensure their children between the age of 6 months to 5 years should get vaccinated for measles as soon as possible.
Head of Health Protection, Dr. Aalisha Sahukhan says preliminary data from Central Division shows that less children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years are getting their vaccination when compared to adults in the target group.
She also highlighted that the normal immunization schedule starts at 12 months so most children 6 to 12 months have not even received one dose of vaccination.
She adds that getting more people vaccinated for measles would also keep those who are vulnerable safe such as people who have cancer and cannot get vaccinated.
Dr. Sahukhan says that some of the outreach posts in the Central Division have been closed so that more teams are mobilized to go house to house to find children who are not getting vaccinated.
The Ministry continues to advise people against mass gathering to prevent themselves from getting the disease.
Dr. Sahukhan adds that since it is the holiday period and people may intend to travel, they are still being advised against non-essential travel to the Serua/Namosi area.
There are 23 confirmed measles cases.
235,000 people have been vaccinated since the outbreak was declared last month.
