Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong has confirmed 3 new COVID-19 deaths from the 27th to 28th January 2022.
He says the first COVID-19 death is of a 92-year old woman from the Central Division, who died at home on 27th January. She was not vaccinated.
The second COVID-19 death is of a 46-year old woman from the Western Division, who died at home on 27th January. She had significant pre-existing comorbidities and was not vaccinated.
The third COVID-19 death is of a 79-year old woman from the Central Division, who died at home on 28th January. She had congenital comorbidity and was not vaccinated.
This brings the total number of deaths in the third wave to 105.
Dr Fong says the initial and subsequent analysis of the deaths in the vaccine-eligible population during this third wave has revealed that fully vaccinated adults have a 16.2 times lower rate of death from COVID-19 than unvaccinated adults.
He further says this is comparable to rates seen overseas, which is an indication of the quality of our COVID-19 vaccination program, even with the urgency of ensuring rapid deployment of vaccines in a very short time period.
Dr Fong adds the huge difference in death rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated adults is even further evidence that vaccination lowers the risk of severe disease outcomes from COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Fiji has recorded 460 new cases of which 71 new cases were recorded on 29th January, 54 new cases were recorded on 30th January and 335 new cases in the last 24 hours ending at 8am yesterday.
Of the 460 cases recorded, 345 cases were in the Central Division; 71 cases in the Western Division, 43 cases in the Northern Division, and 1 case in the Eastern Division.
As of January 31st, 73,630 individuals have received booster doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the 142,240 persons considered eligible.
The Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong says this represents a 52% coverage rate for booster-eligible persons.
He says they are also expecting to receive more Pfizer vaccines this week to be used for booster doses and as a vaccine for children.
Dr Fong adds the booster vaccine and vaccination for children are not considered mandatory, however, they encourage all eligible individuals to be vaccinated or get a booster dose, and help navigate Fiji into a safer COVID zone that supports the socio-economic revival and safer reopening of schools.
Meanwhile, 92.7 percent of the adult target population have received two doses of a COVID vaccine.
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