Fiji is having difficulty procuring vaccines for meningococcal disease which has struck the country.

FBC News reported the government is working with the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to get the meningococcal disease strain C vaccine.

The Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, told Parliament there is huge international demand for it making it difficult for Fiji.

He said the government may now need to approve US$20 million to get the vaccine after originally allowing for half that amount.

The vaccines are to be administered to around 345,000 under 19 year olds.

Health authorities declared an outbreak of the bacterial infection earlier this month after 18 cases were reported throughout the country during the first eight weeks of this year.

SOURCE: Radio New Zealand