Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong. [Source: File Photo]

A vaccine that helps protect against flu viruses will soon be administered by the Health Ministry.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says the Ministry will need to conduct a specific testing investigation before it is used.

He says the vaccine program will only target the high-risk groups and will not be administered widely like the COVID-19 vaccine.

Fiji’s influenza season began in January and would end around May or June.

The Permanent Secretary says in the last two years, there was a marked decrease in cases of influenza detected, a trend that was also seen in other countries.

Meanwhile, Dr Fong says the recent weather has resulted in conditions conducive to outbreaks of leptospirosis, typhoid, and dengue fever, which are climate-sensitive diseases endemic to Fiji.

The Health Ministry says it is aware of the recent weather reports predicting increasing rainfall over the next few days, and as such, the medical advice provided should be followed as the ministry continues to mount its public health and clinical response.