Nearly 16 per cent of the 15-17 age group target population were vaccinated over the first two days of the children vaccination program that started Monday in the central, northern and western divisions of Fiji.
More than 7000 children turned up to receive their jab of the Moderna vaccine and will be required to receive their second in 28 days time.
At this stage, the target population for this age group has been set at 45,691 which could change as verification works continue.
The rollout of the children’s vaccination program is being done in school clusters whereby schools located in the same vicinity form a cluster.
The children’s vaccination rate will neither determine the school starting dates, not impact the country’s current social relaxation and/or economic recovery program, the ministry of health said. The resumption of schools also depends on the capacity of schools to implement other COVID-safe measures, including physical distancing, which are being looked into by a taskforce made up of senior education officials and health personnel.
Vaccination of eligible children continues throughout the country at designated sites, and parents are encouraged to register their children before vaccination. The ministry reiterates that parental or guardian consent is mandatory before vaccination.
Photo: Ministry of Health
