COVID-19 vaccine ‘reduces hospitalisation’
“AS a nation, we fought a long and hard battle together since April 2020 and our achievement speaks for itself across the region and the world, and we are slowly and surely becoming one of the safest travel destinations across the earth because of our high vaccination coverage.”
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, while updating Parliament on National COVID-19 Response and Vaccination Campaign, said with each jab in the arm Fiji was proving that COVID-19 vaccines have the ability to reduce a person’s chance of becoming seriously ill, needing hospitalisation or dying from COVID-19.
“These vaccines provide lifesaving protection from the complications of severe COVID-19 and also protection against death, “Minister Waqainabete said.
He added that although a fully vaccinated person may still get infected, they are more likely to experience mild symptoms or be asymptotic due to the protection provided by the vaccine.
“Our national goal remains to protect our family, friends, workmates and colleagues from becoming seriously ill, dying from the virus and also protect the vulnerable, including those above 80 years, those with comorbidities, disabilities and pregnant women.”
Minister Waqainabete acknowledged the support of multilateral partners, COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility, in the provision of doses of COVID-19 vaccines for all eligible individuals in Fiji.
“With the assistance of the many arms of Government and members of our communities, our vaccination teams are trekking rugged terrains in the highlands and crossing rivers and oceans to deliver vaccine to everyone, ensuring that we leave no one behind.”
He acknowledged the private practitioners for coming on board to assist in Government’s effort during the pandemic with the ministry building on the experience and success of Fiji’s routine immunisation programme.
“The use of human resources for many Ministries and agencies, vehicles, infrastructure and multiple Government mechanisms have been used in the vaccination rollout, technical support from the Ministry of Health and also our multilateral partners.
“Our success to-date in the vaccination campaign and activities in the pandemic such as contact tracing patient-care cannot be possible without the tireless efforts of many more that have supported the Ministry of Health and the many civil servants that have risen to the call.”