80% of all eligible adults in Fiji have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 22.5% are fully vaccinated

80 percent of all eligible adults in Fiji have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

473,716 have received the first dose.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says this is the halfway mark in our campaign to fully vaccinate 587,651 Fijians by the end of October.

22.5 percent or 131,979 people are now fully vaccinated in Fiji.

He says we have worked hard to get to this point just like in rugby, complacency in the second half spells a whole lot worse than taking silver.

Doctor Fong streses we have to finish strong just like our sevens heroes and win our victory over this virus by vaccinating as many adults in Fiji as we possibly can.

He says lives depend on our success.

Doctor Fong says of you’ve received one dose, come forward for dose number two.

And if you are yet to be vaccinated, please do so.

Doctor Fong also says they at the Ministry are proud of our Sevens heroes for their incredible repeat Gold medal victory in Tokyo.

He says for the length of the final game, the phones were quiet on the 165 emergency line for the first time in weeks.

Doctor Fong says he is sure most of us have seen the videos of their workers stealing a moment of respite to cheer on the boys and celebrate their win.

He knows none of us will ever forget what their win meant for the nation at this time because their success says something very powerful about the value of sacrifice.

The Permanent Secretary says what we didn’t see in the 14 minutes of action that secured us gold was the many months of sacrifices that the team members, coaches, and staff all made to keep themselves healthy and ready to compete at their full strength.

He says he is talking about their diligence to prevent themselves from contracting the virus.

He says many athletes in Tokyo have tested positive and sadly, they have been unable to compete but none of our Sevens players tested positive.

Doctor Fong says they were all fully vaccinated, and they didn’t unnecessarily socialise in ways that put themselves at risk.

He says 5oday, our sevens heroes arrived back from Japan with their gold medals in tow.

Doctor Fong says we are all excited, but he has been watching some of the more irresponsible celebratory gatherings with growing concern.

He says the Fiji Police spent the hours after the match breaking up more than a few victory parties that could easily result in the rampant spread of the virus.

Doctor Fong says this cannot continue.

He says though they are fully vaccinated, the MOH is still entering our 7s team members, coaches and staff into quarantine for a set period.

Doctor Fong says he wishes theg could afford them the proper welcome home celebration they deserve when they exit but they cannot afford to do so at this time.

He says we have to scale things down for the sake of upholding our very important health protection measures.