Vaccination for children aged 12 to 14 expected to start next Monday as NZ provides first batch of Pfizer vaccine

Vaccination for children aged 12 to 14 is expected to start as early as next Monday as New Zealand has today handed over the first consignment of 30,000 Pfizer vaccine doses and consumables to the Ministry of Health.

New Zealand’s High Commissioner, Jonathan Curr says the donation of Pfizer vaccines for the younger population will further support the excellent work Fiji is doing in its vaccination programme.

Curr says with close to one third of Fiji’s population under the age of 18 and therefore not eligible to receive AstraZeneca vaccination, the donation of Pfizer vaccine will make a tangible contribution to vaccination rates and COVID-19 resilience in Fiji.

He says New Zealand will be providing sufficient doses of Pfizer vaccines to fully vaccinate the eligible population of this age group.

Minister for Health, Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete says this donation will ensure that Fiji is able to protect children above the age of 12 years and allow them safer engagement in the schools and their communities.

Meanwhile, stock of consumables include needles, antiseptic swabs, syringe, saline, and dermaplast sensitive plaster. Communication materials have also been supplied to provide guidance on effective vaccine storage, continuous temperature monitoring and distribution into remote areas.