Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services will begin rollout of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 14 years old from next Monday.

As with the process followed for children aged 15 to 17 years, parents will need to register their child online via: vra.digitalfiji.gov.fj/MinorsRegistration/index.

The ministry’s vaccine rollout for children was boosted with the New Zealand Government via its High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr coming on board this week with the first delivery of Pfizer vaccines and assurances that they will provide sufficient doses to fully vaccinate the eligible population of this age group.

Minister for Health Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said: “This generous donation will ensure that we are able to protect our children above the age of 12 years and allow them safer engagement in the schools and their communities.”

In a recent COVID-19 update, the ministry reiterated the added layer of protection that vaccination of the age group provides in Fiji’s efforts against COVID-19 and help children safely return to school noting that although coronavirus poses a lower risk to children, however secondary transmission from young school-age children can and does occur in both household and school settings.

“With good vaccination coverage, high levels of COVID safe adherence, and timely instigation of measure as done in this case, it is possible for us to facilitate a measured containment program whilst continuing the school program whenever we find a positive student in school.”