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Teams carrying out the measles vaccination are having to deal with troublesome situations.

Health Minister, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has revealed that some of his staff are being harassed while others have had personal effects stolen.

Dr Waqainabete says some are turning up to vaccination tents with ulterior motives.

“Some individuals have tried to steal some of the property of our staff which is disappointing. In every good motive that government has there will always be individuals who have different motives and we just have to make sure that we’re working hand in hand with the police in providing security in our tents and to our staff. We encourage one another to come to the tents for vaccination but please we ask people not to harass our staff and not to also persuade others who may have different intentions to do so.”

He says most of these health professionals are women and it’s crucial they carry out services without fear.

“Sixty-seven percent of our ministry of health staff are women and we need to look after our sisters and daughters. We need to talk about it and makes sure they’re protected and they should be able to provide health service without the fear of being harassed and victimized.”

Police Chief of Operations, ACP Maretino Qiolevu says officers have been deployed to various vaccination posts to ensure the safety of health workers.

There are now 19 confirmed cases of measles.

The latest case is a 9-month-old from Davuilevu in Rewa who stayed at Saumakia Settlement in Naitasiri and the Korovou Prison Compound in Suva.