With the growing threat of measles, Fijians are now resorting to private practitioners and are willing to pay to get vaccinated.

Fiji Medical Association President, Dr Basharat Munshi says currently private practitioners in the country have measles vaccine in stock, however, they are not aware of the different prices that are being charged by the practitioners.

Dr Munshi says people are being pro-active and presenting themselves to clinics if they find any signs or symptoms of measles.

“I can tell you from the Pacific Specialist Health Care where I am the clinical director and a general surgeon. So it is a private facility and we have got the vaccine which is $42.”

He says they’ve come across one suspected case which was ruled out by the Fiji Center for Disease Control following a negative result after tests were carried out.

Meanwhile, some people above the age of 70 have been told that they do not need to get vaccinated for measles.

Health Minister, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete clarified that those above this age may have had measles in the past and are immune.