Health Ministry to administer Moderna vaccine to pregnant women in Viti Levu from Wednesday

The Ministry of Health will begin administering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to pregnant women across Viti Levu from Wednesday.

The Ministry says due to the increasing widespread transmission of COVID-19 disease across Viti Levu, pregnant women are at a higher risk of contracting the virus which may cause severe illness.

They say as a result, these women are prioritised for receiving the Moderna vaccine that provides earlier protection against the disease due to its shorter interval period of 28 days between the first and the second dose.

The Ministry also says that pregnant women who are employed as civil servants and are waiting to receive the COVID-19 vaccine may continue to go to work as they will be temporarily exempted until August 1st 2021.

To get vaccinated, pregnant women must provide their antenatal care clinic card as evidence of pregnancy and booking done with the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry says pregnant women living outside Viti Levu must continue to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

They also say that Fiji has recorded a high number of deaths of individuals above 60 years old, particularly those with comorbidity issues as a result of severe illness from COVID-19.

The Ministry says to provide earlier protection to the remaining unvaccinated vulnerable group within the Suva-Nausori corridor, the Moderna vaccines will also be administered to individuals above 60 years of age in the area.

This is particularly for those with comorbidities such as chronic lung disease, significant cardiac disease, severe obesity, diabetes, liver disease and HIV.