Medical Officer for Lakeba in Lau Doctor Raynold Waisele has highlighted that raising awareness on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine and why people should be vaccinated is a key component in their vaccination campaign in the Lau Group.
Speaking on the Bula Ko Lau discussion forum in the iTaukei language last night, Dr Waisele says they started their awareness and vaccination campaign in Lau last month, but when they went to Moce Island to collect the registration forms only 38 people registered from the island.
He says they changed their strategy to home visits, so they can clearly define the importance of the vaccine to the people.
Dr Waisele adds after the visit, the number rose from 39 to 271 who have registered and this is nearly 80 percent of the targeted population on Moce Island.
The Medical Officer says last week, they conducted their awareness and vaccination campaigns in the 8 villages on Lakeba Island and the results were overwhelming.
Dr Waisele says the Lau Group is looking forward to receiving their first jab.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete says about 40 percent of the target population of the people living in Vanuabalavu have received their shots and they will be shipping some vaccines soon.
