Sourcing vaccines for children under 12 years old remains difficult – Dr Fong

The Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong says vaccination of children under the age of 12 remains part of ongoing discussions as sourcing them remains difficult.

He has also revealed that as of 26th January, 72,399 people have so far received the booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the 142,240 persons considered eligible.

This represents a 51% coverage rate for booster-eligible persons.

Dr Fong says 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.

Dr Fong says they are also expecting to receive more Pfizer vaccines soon which will be used for booster doses and as a vaccine for children.

Meanwhile 92.7% of the adult population are now fully vaccinated while 98% have received the first dose.

30,559 children between the ages of 15 and 17 are now fully vaccinated while 10,657 children between the ages of 12 to 14 have received both doses.