29 October 2012 was a momentous day in Fiji, with the introduction of lifesaving vaccines. Rotavirus and pneumococcal will protect babies from meningitis, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia. These two vaccines will target the biggest causes of death and disease in children under five in Fiji.
With the introduction of the rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines, it's estimated that the more than 22,000 babies born on average per year in Fiji will be protected against these fatal diseases.
The Australian aid program is supporting Fiji's Ministry of Health's efforts to save lives with a four year cost sharing agreement supporting not only the rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines but also the introduction of the human papillomavirus targeting cervical cancer.
Marking yet another milestone, Fiji became the first country in the world to have these three vaccines introduced simultaneously into the public health system, making international medical history.
The human papillomavirus vaccine will be administered to school girls in their final year at primary school. This vaccine will benefit 8,000 young women who would otherwise be vulnerable to cervical cancer which kills approximately 66 women yearly in Fiji.
Through AusAID's Fiji Health Sector Support Program, funding will be used on vaccine procurement, training of nurses in immunisation delivery, and a communications strategy to raise awareness of these vaccines with parents and families. It will also support the Ministry of Health to evaluate the impact of the vaccines on reducing disease burden.
All babies born in Fiji are now eligible for these vaccines which will help prevent many illnesses that have, in the past, seen babies and young children hospitalised.