As of January 11, 39,179 people in Fiji have received their booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19.

Confirming this the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong also revealed that this month, 142, 240 people were due to receive their booster dose.

Vaccination

Dr Fong was impressed with the booster dose turnout and encouraged people to get their booster shots when they become eligible.

He said the ministry was expecting more doses of the Moderna vaccine at the end of this month.

Dr Fong also reassured that the ministry was expecting more doses of the Pfizer vaccine for children by mid this month.

He said the Omicron variant has been shown to evade immunity against infection in people who have been infected with previous variants, and those who have been fully vaccinated.

“This is why people who have been infected during the last wave, and those who have been fully vaccinated, are getting infected and having symptoms again in the third wave,” he said.

“The good news is that, while you still may get infected and develop symptoms, two doses of the vaccine still provide very good protection against preventing severe disease.

“However, vaccinated people over the age of 50 or those that have significant chronic diseases may still be vulnerable to severe disease.”

He added that a booster dose significantly increases protection from symptomatic infection and strengthens protection against severe disease.

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