Australia has provided Fiji with over 1 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, and the Australian High Commissioner has praised Fiji’s efforts in containing the outbreak and thanked the frontline workers for doing the hard yards.
John Feakes says six months ago, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison made a promise to Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama that Australia will provide a million vaccines to Fiji.
Feakes says Australia’s support does not end here as they will now focus on helping Fiji on its economic recovery after the last 19 months.
He adds that the Health Ministry also knows that they just have to ask for help and it will come.
Feakes further says Australia has also supported the Fijian Government’s response to COVID-19 by providing over $152.5 million in direct budget support, COVID-19 testing equipment, consumables, qualified lab technicians, over 1.3 tonnes of Personal Protective Equipment and medical supplies, and much more.
Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says even though Australia had significant challenges of their own, they stood with Fiji and helped in many ways.
Dr Waqainabete says Australia has always been ready to step in to support Fiji not only in combating the outbreak but also strengthening the health system.
