Fijian health authorities intend to get through the COVAX Facility 100,800 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, equivalent to cover 50,400 Fijians before the end of next month.
Head of Fiji’s vaccination taskforce Dr Rachel Devi said the vaccines will arrive in batches and administered in batches as well with the rest of the Fiji’s front liners comprising healthcare workers and defence and vulnerable individuals next in line.
Vulnerable individuals who will be part of the second phase to be vaccinated include those with co-morbid issues such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac cases, and persons with disability.
“This population becomes high risk from coronavirus infection, thus the need to protect our vulnerable population from getting sick and being hospitalized,” Dr Rachel said.
The final and third phase of vaccination will cover the rest of the eligible individuals aged 18 years and above.
Fiji received its first batch of 12,000 doses on 6 March through the COVAX Facility which was primarily for 6,000 frontline workers including health care workers, those who work in ports of entry (both sea and air), isolation facilities, quarantine facilities, and defence forces (supporting these sites).
Vaccination was first rolled out in Fiji on 10 March to 10 frontline individuals. Since then, more than 5,000 frontliners have been vaccinated.
Meanwhile, health authorities are also reminding the general public to register for vaccination which can be done via the on-line platform on the Ministry of Health website and face-to-face at designated venues including all public health facilities across the country. Registration will close on 30 April 2021 to give health officials time to carry out background checks before administering the vaccine.
