12 January, 2026, 2:33 pm Central - 26°C Rain

Health Ministry says eligible children’s 1st dose vaccination is planned for rollout from Monday 20th September 2021

Health Ministry says eligible children’s 1st dose vaccination is planned for rollout from Monday 20th September 2021

By Naveel Krishant
15/09/2021
Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong [image: Fijian Govt.]

The Health Ministry says the eligible children’s 1st dose vaccination is planned for rollout from Monday 20th September 2021 and the 2nd dose from Monday 18th October 2021.

Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong says working with the Ministry of Education, they will begin with children in the age group of 15 to 17 years.

Dr Fong says a stringent process is in place to ensure that parental or guardian consent is secured and online registration is encouraged before vaccination.

Dr Fong reiterates that no vaccine will be given without the consent of parents or guardians.

The Ministry has set aside the required number of vials of vaccine to ensure that the target population between 15 to 17-year-old can receive both doses of the vaccine.

Dr Fong says vaccination for children aged 12 to 17 years is safe and similar to adults, children can also experience the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination such as pain at the jab site, swelling, fever, and body aches.

He also says these symptoms should subside over a few days.

Dr Fong adds severe side effects are rare and the risk of getting a severe infection and succumbing to COVID-19 is still higher than the risk of adverse events from vaccination.

He says therefore, parents and guardians are encouraged to agree for their children to be vaccinated to protect them from COVID-19.

READ FULL COVID-19 UPDATES.


FEATURE NEWS
COMPOL meets with Army Commander
Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu met with the Army Commander, Major General Jone Kalouniwai this morning.The meeting focused on where the Republic...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Golden Globe: Teyana Taylor, Stellan Skarsgård, Noah Wyle, and Seth Rogen are early winners
Teyana Taylor has won the Golden Globe for best supporting female actor in a motion picture for her portrayal of Perfidia Beverly Hills in “One ...
9 minutes ago

83rd Golden Globe Awards get underway
The best in film and television will be honoured today as the 83rd Golden Globe Awards get underway this hour.It could be a big night for Paul Thomas ...
1 hour ago

Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
2 hours ago

Tabuya urges BYU students to return and help build Fiji’s future
Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya says Fiji urgently needs skilled graduates to help address rising social challenges, including increasing HIV ...
2 hours ago

Fiji Airways bans use of power banks onboard from Monday
Passengers will no longer be able to use their portable power banks on Fiji Airways and Fiji Link flights from Monday to manage potential risks ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
10 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
21 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
21 days ago

TOP