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Lack of vaccines against chickenpox outbreak sparks outrage

24 July 2018, MVT 14:07
24 July 2018, MVT 14:07

Public outcry rises over a shortage of vaccine whilst a chicken pox epidemic continues to spread throughout the Maldives.

The highly contagious disease caused by a strain of varicella virus is usually distinguished by a rash forming small, itchy blisters, eventually forming scabs present with host of other symptoms including high fever, lack of appetite and fatigue.

The varicella vaccine, which is to be administered before the victim is exposed to the virus, comprises of 'chickenpox antibodies'. It is known that vaccinating a large portion of the population protects those who aren’t vaccinated by the principle called “herd immunity”.

Both ADK and IGMH hospitals have urged citizens to return with the vaccine in hand, whilst many private clinics and healthcare centers have also confirmed that they too do not have the vaccine.

Other established pharmaceutical companies identified STO and ADK as the primary importers of the vaccine, stating that both companies are out of stock.

The largest importer of pharmaceuticals in the Maldives, State Trading Organization (STO) have stated that while their varicella vaccine stock remains empty, they are as yet unaware of when the vaccine wil be back in stock.

Currently, vaccines for certain diseases are distributed through state-funded vaccination programs as regulated by the government.

According to the Director General for Public Health at the Health Protection Agency, Maimoona Aboobakur, as chickenpox vaccine is not incorporated into this list, the medication has been left open for authorized importers of the medication to import and distribute.

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