Health Minister, Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete confirms that there was a shortage of polio injections for babies in health centres but now it is back in stock.
Babies normally get this vaccination when they are 14 weeks old. Some parents had raised concerns on the 14th of February that they were turned away when they went to vaccinate their child for polio at the Nausori Health Centre. It was also highlighted at the time that the Suva Health Centre did not have any polio injections.
They are now back in stock.
Polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can infect a person's spinal cord, causing paralysis.
The Minister stresses that the health centres should inform the Fiji Pharmaceutical Services if they are running out of stock so that necessary arrangements are made on time.
