The time is yet to be confirmed for the official announcement today on COVID-19 and the lifting of the containment borders in Viti Levu and other measures after reviewing the restrictions currently in place.
Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong stresses that until this announcement is made all current measures remain in force.
As of 14th of September 577,005 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 363,420 have received their second doses.
This means that 97.5% of the target population have received at least one dose and 61.9% are now fully vaccinated nationwide.
It was earlier stated by the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama that the Viti Levu borders will be lifted and the curfew will start from 9pm when 60 percent of the eligible population are fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile the Health Ministry says the eligible children’s 1st dose vaccination is planned for rollout from Monday 20th September 2021 and the 2nd dose from Monday 18th October 2021.
Dr Fong says working with the Ministry of Education, they will begin with children in the age group of 15 to 17 years.
He says a stringent process is in place to ensure that parental or guardian consent is secured and online registration is encouraged before vaccination.
Dr Fong reiterates that no vaccine will be given without the consent of parents or guardians.
The Ministry has set aside the required number of vials of vaccine to ensure that the target population between 15 to 17-year-old can receive both doses of the vaccine.
Dr Fong says vaccination for children aged 12 to 17 years is safe and similar to adults, children can also experience the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination such as pain at the jab site, swelling, fever, and body aches.
He also says these symptoms should subside over a few days. Dr Fong adds severe side effects are rare and the risk of getting a severe infection and succumbing to COVID-19 is still higher than the risk of adverse events from vaccination.
He says, therefore, parents and guardians are encouraged to agree for their children to be vaccinated to protect them from COVID-19.
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