Immunization

Since the last update on November 22nd 2019 there are now 13 confirmed cases of measles. The latest confirmed cases are a 22 year old from Wailali Settlement and a 16 year old from Navunikabi, both in the Serua/Namosi Subdivision. The third case is a 1-year-old child from Vatuwaqa Suva, who was admitted at CWM Hospital but has since been discharged. A 25-year-old pregnant woman, who was mentioned as a confirmed case in the last update, has also been discharged from isolation at the CWM Hospital. Currently there are no confirmed measles patients admitted in hospital, but this can change and the following restrictions at CWM are now in place: The new visiting hour is 2.00pm to 3.00pm from Monday to Sunday. Only one visitor will be allowed for each patient during the stated visiting hour. Restrictions to visiting the intensive care unit for children and adults, and the designated Measles Isolation wards will be in place. Triage sites are set up to assess and treat children, ...

Despite the limited number of measles vaccines, routine immunization of children aged 12 and 18 months will continue under the Health Ministry’s national immunization schedule. The current stock of vaccines is being used in high-risk areas as well as routine immunization. Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says they’re waiting for the new batch from Europe to continue with the mass vaccination. Article continues after advertisement Over 110,000 people predominantly from the Serua/Namosi subdivision have already been vaccinated. People in high-risk areas have been advised to avoid mass gatherings. Live Tune In 95.4 FM Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, Labasa 95.2 FM Sigatoka, Ba 95.6 FM Tavua 95.8 FM Rakiraki Live Tune In 102.6 FM Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, Labasa 102.4 FM Sigatoka, Ba 102.8 FM Tavua 103.0 FM Rakiraki Live Tune In 97.8 FM Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, Labasa 97.6 FM Sigatoka, Ba 98.0 FM Tavua 98.2 FM Rakiraki Live Tune In 93.0 FM ...

There have been widespread outbreaks of hepatitis A nationwide. Many people think hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water. But in the U.S., it is more commonly spread from person to person, which is what is happening in the current outbreaks. Fortunately, vaccinating people who are at risk can help stop the spread. Find out what physicians can do to prevent or control outbreaks. Since 2016, when the outbreaks were first identified, 30 states have publicly reported more than 28,000 cases of hepatitis A, linked to over 17,000 hospitalizations and 285 deaths. When looking at the current hepatitis A outbreak, the states with the highest number of cases are in the states hard hit by the opioid epidemic: Kentucky: 4,966. Ohio: 3,381. Florida: 3,446. Tennessee: 2,704. West Virginia: 2,577. Indiana: 2,219. In response to the hepatitis A outbreaks across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides ongoing epidemiology and lab suppo...

Public health employees say they cannot overstate their concerns about the low immunization rates among children in the region. Only 65.59% of 2-year-olds in Sauk County were considered “up to date” with the recommended vaccinations in 2018, down nearly 3% since 2013, according to the state Department of Health Services. Being up to date means they completed the “combined seven-vaccine series” that guards them against preventable diseases like measles, Hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and more. “We were in the high 80s and low 90s when I started 15 years ago,” Barbara Walsh said of her time as a nurse with the Sauk County Health Department. “The current numbers are startling.” In Columbia County, 71.21% of 2-year-olds completed their immunization schedules in 2018, a decrease of about 2% since 2013. “All local health departments in our state have a common goal to reach 90% or higher,” Columbia County Health Officer Susan Lorenz said. “I am concerned.” Ad...

SUNIL CHANDRA Since the last update on November 20th 2019 there are now 10 confirmed cases of measles. The latest confirmed case is a 25-year-old pregnant woman from Samabula. The woman presented to the CWM Hospital on 21 November 2019 and is currently admitted under isolation. The Suva Subdivisional Outbreak Response Team has responded to the notification of this new case through the tracing of contacts, with vaccination, and quarantine if needed. The 2-year-old confirmed case mentioned in the previous update (Media release 7: Measles 20/11/2019) has since been discharged home from the CWM Hospital. The Serua/Namosi Subdivisional Outbreak Response Team has vaccinated 100% of the residents of Waibogi Village in Serua since notification of this case on November 20th 2019. A 11-year-old student of the Fiji School for the Blind is currently a suspected case and is isolated at the school awaiting test results. Students and staff at the school were vaccinated and quarantined on November...

MADISON — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed more than a dozen bills into law Thursday, bringing the total number of laws he approved in his more than 10 months in office to 47. While a time of split state government has put the brakes on the passage of major legislation, the number of laws enacted by Evers and the Republican-controlled Legislature isn’t too far behind former GOP Gov. Scott Walker in the first year of the last legislative session, when Republicans controlled both the Legislature and governor’s office. By this time in 2017 — the first year of the 2017-18 legislative session — Walker had signed 64 bills into law. Still, that was a relatively small number for Walker, given that by mid-November 2015 — the first year of the 2015-16 legislative session — he had signed 113 bills into law. Neither Republican lawmakers nor Evers so far this session have enacted any major partisan initiatives. This week, Evers signed into law a number of minor bills covering a...

There are now ten confirmed cases of measles in the country. The latest confirmed case is a 25-year-old pregnant woman from Samabula, Suva The Health Ministry says the woman presented to the CWM Hospital on Thursday and is currently admitted under isolation. Article continues after advertisement The Suva Sub-divisional Outbreak Response Team has responded to the notification of this new case through the tracing of contacts, with vaccination, and quarantine if needed. Meanwhile, the two-year-old confirmed case in the previous measles advisory has been discharged from the CWM Hospital. The Serua/Namosi Sub-divisional Outbreak Response Team has vaccinated 100% of the residents in Waibogi Village since notification of this case on November 20th. An 11-year-old student of the Fiji School for the Blind is currently a suspected case and is isolated at the school awaiting test results. Students and staff at the school were vaccinated and quarantined on Thursday before being cleared by...

Tuesday, November 19, 2019 4:48 p.m. CST by Casey Nelson OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Governor Tony Evers returned to a former hometown to sign bills aimed to provide better healthcare to residents. Evers signed three bi-partisan bills at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh on Tuesday.  Evers signed the following bills: This bill allows a pharmacist, with appropriate training, to administer a vaccination prescribed by a physician or follows a current immunization schedule recommended by the federal advisory committee. This expands the scope for families to get their vaccinations, especially those who live in rural areas. This bill allows a trained EMS professional to provide emergency medical care as delegated by a health care provider. This bill creates a grant program through the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs to update 9-1-1 service infrastructure. Grant funds can be used for advanced training of telecommunicators, equipment or software expenses, and incentives to c...

Since the last update on November 15th 2019 there are now 7 confirmed cases of measles from Serua/Namosi Subdivision. The latest confirmed cases are a 7 month old from Wainadoi, a 3 month old from Wainadoi, and a 19 year old from Navunikabi in Namosi. There are 2 more suspected cases in Navunikabi Namosi. The 7 month old and 3 month old babies are currently admitted under isolation at Navua hospital. The Serua/Namosi Outbreak Response Team has implemented response measures – including isolation of the cases, quarantine and vaccination of contacts and at risk communities. On the evening of Sunday November 17th the Ministry of Health and Medical Services was notified of a suspected case of measles within the Tongan team that had just arrived to play in the Oceania Women’s Championship. In response, the suspected case has been isolated and the Tongan team placed under quarantine – their scheduled games have been cancelled pending testing results. The Ministry of Health and Medical Ser...

RIAZ HASSAN National Update The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is pleased to see the positive support from the members of the public in their proactive efforts to contain the measles outbreak in Serua/Namosi by presenting for immunisation and reporting symptoms. The measles outbreak is still confined to the Serua/Namosi Subdivision, and specifically the Wailali Settlement in Wainadoi. As the response by the public has been so positive the Ministry of Health and Medical Services would like to highlight the measles vaccine is currently limited to 4 groups who are at most at risk of contracting measles, and these are; Any child in Fiji who has not received 2 doses of measles vaccine. If you’re unsure visit your nearest health centre with your child’s health record for it to be checked by a health care worker. They will be immunised on the spot if needed. Anyone who resides in Serua/Namosi and is over 6 months of age is urgently advised to receive a dose of the measles v...

The Ministry for Health and Medical Services has revealed that current vaccination stocks for measles are not unlimited. It says the stocks should be used for the most vulnerable groups who are likely to catch and spread the disease as the Ministry’s main priority is to protect those at the highest risk first. The measles outbreak is still confined to the Serua/Namosi Subdivision, specifically the Wailali Settlement in Wainadoi. Article continues after advertisement The Ministry says there’s currently four confirmed cases – all from the Wailali Settlement. There have been zero confirmed new cases of measles from Serua/Namosi or anywhere else in Fiji. As the response by the public has been positive – the Ministry also highlights that the measles vaccine is currently limited to 4 groups: Any child in Fiji who has not received 2 doses of measles vaccine .  If you’re unsure visit your nearest health centre with your child’s health record for it to be checked by a health care w...

Christopher D. Altman, PharmD Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, affecting some 79 million individuals. 1 Infection with HPV has been linked to genital warts and 6 types of cancer. 2 Because the virus can clear on its own and cause no health problems, many people may be unaware they are infected and may unknowingly spread the virus to a partner. About 14 million new cases of HPV are documented in the United States each year. 2 Individuals aged 15 to 24 years accounted for about 49% of new infections in 2013-2014. The remaining infections occured in adults 25 years and older: 35% of women and 45% of men aged 25 to 49 years had an HPV infection. 3 Previously, vaccination was not recommended for patients in this age range, as there was no demonstrated benefit to HPV vaccination 4 ; however, this is about to change. HPV VACCINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Data from 2010 indicate that about 20% of adolescent females were va...

By MARIE NESMITH In light of an unvaccinated Cobb County resident contracting measles, Georgia Department of Public Health officials are underscoring the importance of vaccination. Along with spreading awareness about immunization, they also are notifying individuals who were in contact with the patient and could have been exposed to this disease between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6. “Without vaccinations, you, your family members and friends are at greater risk of acquiring a vaccine-preventable disease,” said Mary Ann Long, immunization coordinator for DPH Northwest Health District, which covers 10 counties, including Bartow. “Safe and effective vaccines are available to protect adults and children alike against potentially life-threatening diseases, such as tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, shingles, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella/chickenpox. “Almost all reported cases of measles in the United States are in unvaccinated persons who eit...

Outbreaks of measles around the world, including in neighboring countries, have put Fiji at risk of having travel-related cases of measles. Ministry of Health’s Head of Health Protection Dr Aalisha Sahu Khan says keeping in mind the outbreak in neighboring countries, it is important for Fijians to get vaccinated. Dr Sahu Khan says the free vaccine is available at health centres for those aged 12 months and above who are travelling overseas. Article continues after advertisement Babies aged between 6 months and 12 months can also be vaccinated if they are travelling to an area with an ongoing outbreak of measles- but they will still need to receive their next scheduled measles vaccines as per the Fiji immunization schedule. https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/141119-KKKHAN.mp3 “The other group of people we are offering free vaccines for in Fiji are travellers, anyone who is travelling internationally. This advice went out earlier this year when we knew of the o...