Civil Service Department workers in Lautoka received their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine this week.

Lautoka Magistrates Court Resident Magistrate, Nayani Kasturiratne and her 64-year-old mother were among those who received the vaccine.

Magistrate Kasturiratne, who is looking forward to reuniting with her family in Sri Lanka, said it was safe and good to receive the vaccine.

She said her husband and daughter were in Sri Lanka and were supposed to come to Fiji in April.

“But borders were closed and they couldn’t come,” she said.

Magistrate Kasturiratne said they were planning to return next July and so she asked her mother to get vaccinated along with her.

“And she was happy to take it because otherwise we are exposing ourselves to the risks. That’s how I feel,” she said.

From left: Jemesa Delana ,Selenai Raumakita and Commissioner West Mesake Ledua after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on April 14, 2021. Photo: Salote Qalubau

Commissioner West, Mesake Ledua said this was the first step towards normalcy.

He said the vaccination is for all the civil servants in Lautoka.

He added that for those who are not comfortable with the vaccination, it was good for them to ask questions in order to eliminate any misinformation.

The vaccination process will conclude tomorrow, those who received their first dose on Tuesday will take the second dose in 10 weeks’ time.

Edited by Losirene Lacanivalu

Feedback: salote.qalubau@fijisun.com.fj