Vaccine is free, clarifies Waqainabete

THE COVID-19 vaccine is free for all Fijians, says Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete.

He told Parliament yesterday that Government had enough money to purchase vaccines.

“We have the money, it is free. You don’t have to get $15 to get your vaccination,” he said.

Dr Waqainabete was responding to a supplementary question raised by Opposition MP and Social

Democratic Liberal Party member Niko Nawaikula on whether the Government had enough money to purchase vaccines and also ensure that the Fijian population is vaccinated.

Health and Medical Services Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong also provided clarity on this issue.

He said Fijians didn’t need to provide their birth certificates to register for vaccination.

“We wanted to access the birth registration number,” Dr Fong said.

“One source is the birth certificate and we are going to put up stations where people can go and get their birth registration number once their identity is verified.”

Dr Waqainabete said out of the 6278 individuals who were vaccinated in the first batch, there was no adverse events that followed.

“Some individuals developed mild side effects which were temporary and adequately managed with symptomatic care (antipyretics) and hydration.”

Dr Waqainabete said the ministry was also working to secure vaccines for all individuals above 18 years old in Fiji.

“This is required for at least 650,000 individuals which equate to 1.3 million doses of vaccines.

“I also want to make it very clear in this august House and the nation at large that the Fijian Government, just like it has been doing with other vaccination we use for our children, we will only bring vaccinations that are being certified by the World Health Organization.”