More than 20 teams are carrying out COVID-19 registrations and vaccination around Fiji.
 
So far over 30,000 Fijians have registered for the vaccine as the second phase of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccinations rolled out Tuesday.
 
Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said with the arrival of more vaccines, the numbers will increase.
 
“For those who are really registered, there is a mechanism in play where the invitations get sent out to them to go for registration and one of the things they do as part of the registration, they actually identify the nearest health centre or health facility that’s close to you so one may get a text saying please come to this particular health centre to be able to get your vaccination done.”
 
He said some of the teams are also vaccinating eligible Fijians.
 
“At the same time, they are doing vaccination. As the vaccination are happening, some of the teams that are going out also going out doing both, registration and vaccination and some of the teams are doing just registrations.”
 
The Ministry of Health said 50,000 people will be eligible to receive the two-dose vaccine during this phase.
 
“We need to just keep on utilising the vaccines as they come and the whole year is about vaccinations and so we encourage all Fijians to be able to register if you can but if you can’t register because of an issue with your phone or with your laptop please make yourself available for registration at the places that are going to be published,” said Dr Waqainabete.
 
Those who are eligible in this phase include the rest of the frontline staff at the borders, all healthcare workers (including those in private healthcare), police and military officers, tourism and hotel workers, and civil servants.
 
Also eligible to receive the vaccine will be those over the age of 60 and people with medical conditions that increase the risk of severe disease if they get infected with COVID-19.
 
The Ministry said people will fall into this category if they are currently attending a Special Outpatients Department clinic with the Ministry of Health, or similar with a private healthcare provider and this includes people with diabetes, asthma, and heart conditions.
 
The Ministry is urging Fijians over the age of 18, and especially those eligible for this second phase, to register for the vaccine.
 
Meanwhile, the roll-out of the next phase of vaccination against COVID-19 has begun at Queen Elizabeth Barracks. RFMF personnel are amongst the 50,000 eligible to receive the 2-dose vaccine.
 
Fiji Military Commmander Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto also took the COVID-19 jab Tuesday.

SOURCE: FBC NEWS/PACNEWS

Australia’s evolving guarantee to the South Pacific

Forum SG Dame Meg Taylor statement regarding Japan decision to release ALPS treated water into the Pacific Ocean