Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete is happy with the positive response from all Fijians who have receive their Covid-19 vaccine.

Dr Waqainabete said they were sure that the 50,000 doses of vaccine will be finished by this week.

A total of 9, 932 people were vaccinated on Tuesday April 13, while the Ministry also surpassed the 10,000 mark for people receiving their jabs on Wednesday, April 14.

Dr Waqainabete confirmed this yesterday.

He said the figures were collated from their vaccination stations based in the Central, Eastern, Western and Northern Division over two days.

“The target for this phase remains that we vaccinate 50,000 people, from the 100, 000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines that have arrived from India,” he said.

He said as of Wednesday, this week more than 30, 000 people in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine.

“We have been very happy with the response and we would really like to thank all Fijians who have embraced this.

He also confirmed that only 50,000 doses would be administered while the remaining 50, 000 would be kept for the second doses of those that have received their first dose this week.

“That’s how the deployment plan of vaccines was made and that’s what we will follow closely.”

He said there has been a lot of interest by Fijians to get vaccinated which has been a positive feedback for the Ministry.

Meanwhile, United Nations Resident Coordinator to Fiji and the Pacific, Sanaka Samarasinha said the next batch of AstraZeneca vaccines from the World Health Organisation COVAX facility is expected to arrive in the country next month.

The Fijian Sevens team led by coach Gareth Baber also received their vaccination yesterday.

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