One hundred and thirty people have died since the third wave of the coronavirus started in Fiji, but none among those who had received a booster dose, health authorities say.
Deaths in the current wave, according to the Ministry of Health, have been prevalent among unvaccinated adults, dying at a rate 18.3 times higher than those fully vaccinated, indicators it says underline the importance of all eligible persons getting vaccinated.
Based on Permanent Secretary Dr James Fong’s update, between November end when the booster program started and 23 February 2022, a total of 98,683 fully vaccinated individuals have gone on to receive a third vaccine shot.
By February end, the ministry estimates that a further 175,558 people will be eligible to receive a booster dose.
“We are targeting to cover all these eligible individuals in the days ahead. Please come forward to get your booster (3rd dose) vaccine if you are aged 18 or over and it has been at least 5 months since your second dose,” Dr Fong said this week.
The number of people who have received the booster dose equates to 17 percent of the 575.452 fully vaccinated adult population.
