Fiji today received a shipment of 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines.
The vaccines were funded by the New Zealand government and sourced in cooperation with Spain.
Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete acknowledged New Zealand’s continued support, and said 100,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines would boost the efforts of the vaccination team to help Fijians access the vaccines, and help prevent hospitalisations.
“We thank the New Zealand government for their continuous support and we hope to fully vaccinate our target population soon given that we have more vaccines available in Fiji now,” Dr Waqainabete was quoted saying in a Government statement.
New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr reaffirmed his government’s commitment to support Fijians to access safe and effective vaccines and help protect against COVID-19.
“AstraZeneca is Fiji’s vaccine of choice for the eligible population and these doses will further support the excellent work of Fiji in vaccinating its population,” Mr Curr said in a Government statement issued this evening.
“Vaccines are also the key to achieving effective economic and social recovery and we have confidence in Fiji’s ability to meet its vaccination target.
“Vaccinations offer our communities the best protection against the health impacts of COVID-19. COVID-19 has affected us all. We will all benefit from a vaccinated nation,” added Mr Curr.
Mr Curr also thanked the governments of Spain, Sweden and Norway and the European Union for their cooperation in securing these vaccines for Fiji.
In addition to access to vaccines, New Zealand is also providing NZ$2million of Official Development Assistance to support the vaccine rollout and preparedness.
Through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment, New Zealand will be donating sufficient COVID-19 vaccine for 800,000 people in developing countries with a focus on the Pacific.
