Unvaccinated deaths
FIVE hundred and fifty three people who were not vaccinated died in Fiji between April 15 and November 14, 2021, from a total 696 COVID-related deaths, states a new research released in the World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Surveillance and Response Journal.
The research was done by Nashika Sharma and Dashika Balak from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Shaneel Prakash from Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources and Julia Maguire from the World Health Organization Representative Office for the South Pacific.
“The deaths directly associated with COVID-19 in our study population occurred predominantly among unvaccinated people, who accounted for 79.5 per cent of deaths,” state the authors in the report.
It stated 18.7 per cent of those who died had received one dose of vaccine and 1.9 per cent had received two doses.
“This is similar to other studies, highlighting that mortality from COVID-19 is higher in the unvaccinated population than the vaccinated population.
“COVID-19 vaccinations have successfully reduced the incidence and severity of, and hospitalisation and deaths from, COVID-19.
“Although many countries are utilising different vaccines and booster regimens, it is evident that COVID-19 vaccinations have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality.”
The research found the most vulnerable people to die from COVID-19 were male, indigenous (iTaukei), older (70 years) and unvaccinated individuals.
“Therefore, we conclude that individuals belonging to these risk groups in Fiji should adhere to the recommended COVID-19 precautions and preventive measures to avoid becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2.
“We recommend that future public health prevention strategies, health promotion activities, risk communication materials and public health policies for COVID-19 in Fiji are tailored to these at-risk populations.
“Strategies should include providing education about the signs and symptoms of severe and progressing COVID-19 and increasing the capacity of health systems to identify and respond to a rapid influx of deteriorating patients.”
According to the report, 75.6 per cent of COVID-19 deaths between April 15 and November 14 at the height of the pandemic outbreak in 2021 were iTaukei and 31 from other ethnic groups.
The research was done by Nashika Sharma and Dashika Balak from the Health Ministry, Shaneel Prakash from Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources and Julia Maguire from the World Health Organization Representative Office for the South Pacific.
The report stated 340 iTaukei died at home and 186 in hospitals while 39 Fijians of Indian descent died at home and 100 in hospitals.
“We found that although all ethnicities in Fiji were at risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19, indigenous populations (iTaukei) had a disproportionately higher rate of death from the disease,” the report authors said.
“A review of the literature shows that globally, indigenous populations seem to have higher rates of infection, more severe disease, higher rates of hospitalisation, and poorer health outcomes from COVID-19.
“Although there was limited knowledge about the relationship between ethnicity and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, research suggested that pre-existing social, economic, political and cultural determinants of health were important factors in the health and health outcomes of indigenous populations.
“Therefore, it is important to collect timely, relevant, high quality and disaggregated data to better understand the needs of vulnerable and at-risk populations and to ensure that COVID-19 response and mitigation measures are delivered in a way that ensures health equity and health equality.”
The study was approved by the Human Health Research Ethics Review Committee of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.