Some villagers in the district of Naviti, Yasawa, where about 140 people have tested positive for COVID-19, are refusing to take their second jab.
District spokesman Meciusela Vuli said several attempts by officials from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to convince the villagers to take the second jab had proven futile.
“We have been visiting these villagers to ask them to change their minds but they have told us they will not take the second dose,” he said.
“Most of them have said that they will not take the vaccine because of their religious beliefs.
“It has caused some frustrations especially for our health teams because they are trying to help our community.
“It is a big number of people so we are hoping that they will come around.”
He said in other communities such as Marou Village, health teams had started administering the vaccines to teenagers above the age of 17.
“One of the positive things we are seeing is our young people coming forward to get vaccinated.
“This is because they are seeing a lot of their friends and relatives who are also getting sick.
“In Marou, we have teenagers who tested positive and are in isolation with other positive cases.
“We have separated the sick from their families and put them in two houses dedicated for the sick.
“Their primary and secondary contacts are in quarantine in their homes.”
He said a curfew had been in place within the district as they approached the fourth week of restrictions.
