Pfizer Vaccines For Children To Arrive Next Month: Dr Fong
The first batch of Pfizer vaccines for children aged 12 to 14 years will arrive in the country by mid next month.
Ministry for Health and Medical Services Permanent Secretary, Dr James Fong confirmed this.
Dr Fong said through the assistance of the New Zealand Government, the Ministry of Health was hoping to secure 200,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccines.
He said more discussions were being done to determine the final number.
Effective vaccine
Like Moderna, the Pfizer vaccine has been approved as safe and effective for children 12 years and older.
“Clinical trials done among thousands of children showed an overwhelming outcome of safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) so far approved for children,” he said.
“The vaccines protect children against severe illness, hospitalisation, and even death from COVID-19.”
Dr Fong has assured all parents and guardians in Fiji that these vaccines are safe and have completed all necessary clinical trials for safety and efficacy for children aged 15 and 17.
“Absolutely no shortcuts were taken in granting approval of these vaccines for children and it continues to be monitored for safety.”
He added that as normal for vaccines, some children may face mild side effects from the vaccines, however, this does not last long.
