Child Dies as Meningococcal Disease Resurfaces — Dialogue Fiji Urges Urgent Vaccination Campaign

Dialogue Fiji is calling for immediate government action after a child died from meningococcal disease, as four confirmed cases — including two children — were reported in the Central Division.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services confirmed the outbreak but has not yet announced a vaccination campaign. The lack of urgency has drawn criticism from civil society, with Dialogue Fiji Executive Director Nilesh Lal warning that delays could cost more lives.

“The death of one child is one too many,” said Lal. “We know this disease is deadly and fast-acting, and we’ve seen before — in 2018 — that vaccination works. So why are we still waiting?”

The Ministry said it has administered antibiotics to close contacts of the infected individuals, strengthened surveillance, and launched awareness campaigns in high-risk areas. It also stated it is currently “reviewing” the national vaccine stockpile.

But Lal said that reviewing a stockpile was “not a strategy,” and questioned why vaccines had not yet been deployed.

“What are we waiting for — more children to die?” he said.

Reports suggest the current outbreak involves strains B, Y, and W135, which are not covered by the Men-C vaccine routinely given to Fijian children. This means many may now be at risk.

Dialogue Fiji is also raising concerns over the Ministry’s lack of public communication.

Lal noted that the Ministry has not released updates via its social media platforms and has failed to confirm the availability of appropriate vaccines like MenB and MenACWY.

The organization is calling on the Ministry to:

Confirm the strain types and extent of the outbreak through an official public statement;

Clearly communicate vaccine availability;

Launch an urgent vaccination drive targeting vulnerable groups;

Provide transparent and timely updates to the public.

“This is not the time for bureaucratic delays or half-measures. It’s time for urgency, leadership, and action,” said Lal. “If vaccination worked in 2018, then it must be deployed now, not after more children are hospitalised or lost.”