28 September, 2023, 6:47 pm Central - 22°C Rain

COVID vaccine roll out for children aged 5-11 years old to be announced either tonight or tomorrow
Nehru Primary School students get vaccinated

COVID vaccine roll out for children aged 5-11 years old to be announced either tonight or tomorrow

Nehru Primary School students get vaccinated

By Navitalai Naivalurua , Shanil Singh
Wednesday 06/07/2022

The COVID-19 vaccine roll out for children aged 5 – 11 years will be announced either tonight or tomorrow morning after the launch earlier today.

Some parents had contacted us this morning and raised concerns that when they took their child to the Samabula Health Centre, they were told that the vaccination will begin next week.

The Health Ministry had said yesterday in a release that the vaccination roll out for children aged 5 – 11 years old will start in the Central Division from today, followed by the Western Division then Northern together with the Eastern Division.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says because of the requirements of cold chain, they have to be careful about how they deploy the vaccine.

Meanwhile it was a great moment for parents of Nehru Primary School students after witnessing their children receive the Pediatric Pfizer vaccine that was launched at the school today.

Sailesh Kumar Pala, the father of Year 2 student, Saiansh Sailesh Pala, says he was worried for the safety of his child when cases started rising again.

He says the Health Ministry has done a great job in starting the vaccination of children as low as 5-years-old and is urging other parents to give their consent for their child because it will protect them from severe sickness caused by the deadly virus.

Another parent, Eseta Tikoibua says she was double minded at first but her husband clarified to her the importance of the vaccine.

She says at first she was worried about the side-effects of the vaccine on the health of her son, however, the services provided by the health officials is outstanding.

Year 3 student Shivaan Singh says he is happy that he is now protected from COVID.

Speaking at the launch, President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere reminded parents the importance of children receiving the vaccine.

He says the safety of children should always be paramount.

Ratu Wiliame is urging parents to ensure their child is protected from the deadly virus as it has been around the world that children are vulnerable to this disease.

Also attending the launch today was the Minister for Health Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, the Minister for Education Premila Kumar, the Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong, the Chief Medical Advisor Dr Jemesa Tudravu and New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji Charlotte Darlow.




fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
FEATURE NEWS
Tamavua Action Group to petition against development close to Princes Road cliff edge
Members of the Tamavua Action Group who are residents in the Tamavua area are now gathering signatures to protest against the development close to the...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
One of the biggest challenges faced in relation to reporting and dealing with gender based violence is the Fiji Police - Ali
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator, Shamima Ali says one of the biggest challenges faced in relation to the reporting and dealing with gender ...
1 hour ago

Fiji to have $3b tourism industry by December this year
Fiji will have a $3 billion dollar tourism economy by this December, ahead of the anticipated time of the end of next year. This has been ...
1 hour ago

Qiliho maintains he did not direct officers to close investigations
Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho’s lawyer Devanesh Sharma and the Acting Director of ...
1 hour ago

France secures second win of Mini 7s leg 2 beating Aussie Green 28-14
The French Women's 7s side secured their second win of the Fiji Airways Mini International 7s tournament leg 2 after a 28-14 win over the Aussie ...
5 hours ago

41 percent of child abuse/violence committed by family members
41 percent of perpetrators of child abuse/violence is committed by family members according to the recently released “Violence Against Children In ...
6 hours ago
IN DEPTH
EBayShop Online Recruitment scam
The Consumer Council of Fiji has issued a public alert about a group of individuals running a deceptive pyramid scheme known as “EbayShop Online Recruitment.”
3 days ago

7 Grace Road Group executives declared prohibited immigrants in Fiji after decisions by the South Korean Government and a request by Interpol
7 Grace Road executives in Fiji have been declared prohibited immigrants by the Fijian Government, it has been made clear through government ...
3 days ago

Bainimarama and Qiliho’s trial
The trial of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho begins
41 days ago

TOP