A health official in Fiji has warned that if the shortage of the measles vaccine continues it will have a devastating effect on the government's efforts to curb the outbreak of the disease.
Parents in Fiji have been urged to vaccinate their children against measles. Photo: Fiji govt/Facebook
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health said the number of measles cases in Fiji had risen to nine and that restrictions had been placed on the limited supply of the vaccine.
It said it was prioritising the vaccine for those in affected areas, children aged between six months and three years and people travelling overseas.
The official, who did not want to be named, said reports of people being turned away from health centres and clinics confirmed the ministry had failed to ensure it had an adequate supply of the vaccine.
A shipment of the vaccine was expected to arrive from India next week, the official said.
But if the shipment does not arrive as scheduled, Fiji can expect the number of measles cases to rise, they said.