Fiji Begins COVID-19 Vaccinations

The Republic of Fiji became the first country in the Pacific islands to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility. The arrival of 12,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine marks the first batch of vaccines to arrive in the Pacific region.

This vaccine shipment will be distributed among 6,000 Fijian frontline health care staff, border quarantine workers, select aviation, maritime, and immigration staff.

Fiji's Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama stated on March 4, 2021, that this 'is a small yet important step towards protecting Fijians.'

“These vaccines represent more than the way back to normal life; they are the shot of life our economy, our industries, and thousands of Fijian breadwinners need. It is about bringing back jobs, reconnecting families across borders, and reclaiming Fiji’s rightful place in the world,” Prime Minister Bainimarama stated.

The COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Fiji started on March 10, 2021. Fiji, a country in the South Pacific, is an archipelago of more than 300 islands.

The COVAX mechanism is offering a portfolio of vaccines suitable for a range of settings and populations and is on track to meet its goal of delivering at least two billion doses of vaccine to participating countries around the globe in 2021, says the WHO.

The U.S. CDC had issued a Level 1 Travel Alert to notify visitors to Fiji of these health risks on February 2, 2021.

The CDC stated 'Talk to your doctor ahead of travel, especially if you are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Wait 2 weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel—it takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. And, get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before your trip.'