3. When did Fiji get its first COVID-19 vaccines?
The Fijian Government received its first supply of 12,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on 6th March 2021. The country became the first in the Pacific to receive the COVID-19 vaccine doses.
4. Will Fiji receive enough COVID-19 vaccines to vaccinate its population?
Due to limited global supply, Fiji will receive its COVID-19 vaccines in batches, just like many other countries. The Fijian Government is working with the COVAX facility and on a bilateral basis with its development partners to procure enough vaccines to vaccinate all of its target population.
5. Who will receive the COVID-19 vaccines?
Due to the limited global supply and high global demand for COVID-19 vaccines, Fiji’s vaccines have been prioritized and provided to those who are considered most vulnerable to COVID-19. These groups of individuals have been prioritized because they are either at a higher risk of catching COVID-19 or suffer from underlying health conditions that increase their risk of becoming seriously ill or dying if they get the disease.
Fiji’s priority groups who will receive the COVID-19 vaccines first are:
- Front-line workers (e.g airport workers, health front-liners, sea-ports, quarantine facility staff, hoteliers working in quarantine facilities, defense forces and some other essential workers) ;
- The rest of the health workers across Fiji, including private practitioners, members of the disciplined forces, persons with existing medical conditions, and family members of front line workers;
- Elderly/Older People 60 years and above; and
- All individuals 18 years and above6. Why are these groups prioritized?Healthcare workers: Health workers continue to serve on the front line of Fiji’s fight against this deadly pandemic. The occupation type, and job settings of healthcare workers place them at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Health care workers are also at a high risk of being exposed to COVID-19 as they provide critical care to those who are or might be infected.
Front line workers (e.g. airport workers, health front-liners, sea-ports, quarantine facility staff, hoteliers working in quarantine facilities, disciplined forces and some other essential workers): The work type and job setting of frontline workers bring them into contact with many people from different places and they are then at an increased risk of exposure to the COVID-19 disease.
Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions: People with underlying medical conditions like Stroke, hypertension, asthma, heart disease etc. are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and are therefore prioritized for receiving the vaccine.
Older People 60 years and above: Older people, 60 years and above face significant risk of developing severe illness if they contract COVID-19. This is because people’s immune systems (which fight diseases) weaken with age, therefore older people can be seriously affected if they get COVID-19.
All individuals 18 years and above: At this moment the AstraZeneca Vaccine can be administered to only individuals who are 18 years and above, thus we would like to protect all eligible Fijians.
7. Who is the COVID-19 vaccine not recommended for?
- The vaccine is NOT recommended for persons younger than 18 years of age as there is limited research about its effectiveness in people below 18 years.
- People with a history of severe allergic reaction to vaccinations should consult a doctor before deciding to take the COVID-19 vaccine.8. Can people with other known allergies be vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine?
- People with severe allergic reactions to foods, oral medications, latex, pets, insects, and environmental triggers can be safely
- People with severe allergies require a 30-minute observation period after vaccination, while all others must be observed for at least 15-30 minutes. Vaccine clinics or sites will have safety protocols in place to respond to any adverse reactions.
- However, people who experienced a severe allergic reaction when they are given the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine should NOT receive the second dose.
- 9. Do animals like dogs and cats need to get the COVID-19 vaccine too?
There is no information currently available that household pets like dogs and cats suffer severe illness or spread the virus that causes COVID-19.
10. Where are Fiji’s COVID-19 vaccines supplied from?
Fiji’s first batch of COVID-19 vaccines are supplied through a global partnership called the COVAX Facility led by Gavi, CEPI, and the World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with UNICEF. Fiji has received the COVID-19 vaccine from India and Australia.
11. What type of COVID-19 vaccine has Fiji received?
Fiji has received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.
12. Do I have to pay anything to receive the COVID-19 vaccines?
The COVID-19 vaccine is free to the public. The Fijian Government and some key Development Partners like DFAT, MFAT, USAID, WHO and UNICEF are helping absorb all costs associated with the COVID-19 vaccination and its processes.
13. Is the AstraZeneca vaccine as safe and effective as other covid-19 vaccines?
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized for use in Fiji and has been approved for use in WHO’s Emergency Use Listing and in many other countries’ regulatory bodies, including Fiji. It is safe and highly effective in reducing COVID-19 infections, protecting against severe diseases in people and reducing hospitalisation.
14. How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?
Vaccines work by mimicking an infectious agent – viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause a disease. This ‘teaches’ our immune system to rapidly and effectively respond against it.
Traditionally, vaccines have done this by introducing a weakened form of an infectious agent that allows our immune system to build a memory of it. This way, our immune system can quickly recognize and fight it before it makes us ill. That’s how some of the COVID-19 vaccines have been designed.
Other COVID-19 vaccines have been developed using new approaches, which are called messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccines. Instead of introducing antigens (a substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies), mRNA vaccines give our body the genetic code it needs to allow our immune system to produce the antigen itself. mRNA vaccine technology has been studied for several decades. They contain no live virus and do not interfere with human DNA.
For more information on how vaccines work, please visit WHO.
15. Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?
COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Even though COVID-19 vaccines are developed quickly, they undergo rigorous testing in clinical trials to prove that they meet internationally agreed benchmarks for safety and effectiveness. Only if they meet these standards can a vaccine receive validation from WHO and national regulatory agencies.
Fiji will only receive COVID-19 vaccines that meet WHO’s established safety and efficacy criteria and that have received the required regulatory approval.
>Read What you need to know before, during and after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine
16. What does safe mean?
What this means, is that extensive medical trials have been conducted to review all the side effects and medical conditions that people in the trials experienced.
The number of illnesses reported in the vaccinated group is compared with the control group to see whether the vaccine could be associated with an increase in any medical conditions. The rates of illness are also compared with the rate of those illnesses in the general population. For any severe illnesses reported, a specialist doctor involved in treating the person and an independent safety committee consider whether the illness could be associated with the vaccine.
All the information about adverse events (unexpected illnesses) reported during the trial has been provided to regulators, and the safety profile of both the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is similar to that of other vaccines.
17. How long does the protection from the COVID-19 Vaccine last?
It is not yet known how long protection lasts for those who are vaccinated. However, other vaccines using the Oxford ChAdOx1 technology are proven to provide immune responses that can persist for a year or more.
What is known is that COVID-19 has caused very serious illness and death for a lot of people. If you get COVID-19, you also risk giving it to loved ones who may get very sick. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice. Experts are working to learn more about immunity levels.
18. Can pregnant women be vaccinated?
Currently, in Fiji, pregnant women do not have to take the COVID-19 vaccine until delivery. Pregnant women who feel that they are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 (e.g. health worker, front line worker) or have comorbidities that add to their risk of severe disease, may have to consult their health care provider before deciding to take the vaccine.
19. Can COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility?
No, you may have seen false claims on social media, but there is no evidence that any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines, can affect fertility in women or men. If you are currently trying to become pregnant, you do not need to avoid pregnancy after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
20. Can lactating women be vaccinated?
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services recommends that women continue to breastfeed after receiving the vaccine.
21. How is the COVID-19 vaccine given?
The COVID-19 vaccine is injected into your upper arm.
22. Is the vaccine only available as an injection?
Yes, the approved vaccines are given as 2 injections at an interval of 8-12 weeks at the upper arm of an individual.
23. How many doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will I receive?
Each person will receive 2 doses of the vaccine, with the 2nd dose received 8-12 weeks after having the 1st dose.
24. Are there any side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
As with most vaccinations, it is normal for some people to experience mild side-effects. Most of the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are mild and should go away in a few days. The side-effects can include:
Common mild side effects after getting COVID-19 may include:
- Soreness or redness around injection site
- Mild fever
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle or joint aches
You can manage these side-effects with rest and taking medicines for fever and pain, if needed.
Serious reactions following side-effects are very rare, but in case they happen:
Go to your nearest health facility.
You will get proper medical care to treat your symptoms
Your symptoms will be thoroughly investigated to see if they are related to the vaccine or not.
25. Should I take painkillers before the vaccination?
It is not currently recommended to take painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol before your COVID-19 vaccine to prevent side effects. However, if you do experience side effects such as fever, pain, or headaches after receiving the vaccine, you can take medicines containing paracetamol.
For those that take similar medications routinely, you should continue your medications as prescribed.
26. Are the vaccines Halal?
No pork or other animal derived ingredients are contained in the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine has ethanol listed as an ingredient, but this is in amounts lower than found in natural foods.
27. Is the COVID-19 vaccine evil?
This claim has no scientific basis and is not based on fact. What we do know is that getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect you and those around you against the COVID-19 disease.
28. Why is it important to continue practicing the recommended public health measures?
Those who have been fully vaccinated can feel safer against the virus but we need to stay diligent about protecting those who have not received their vaccines yet.
The reason? The coronavirus vaccines can prevent you from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. And even if you have been vaccinated you still can get the virus, harbor it in your body without any symptoms (asymptomatic infection) and pass it to another person.
You must continue to follow COVID-19 safe measures to help keep everyone safe against the virus.
- Wear a mask when going out;
- Wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use hand sanitizer;
- Always cover your mouth with bent elbow when you cough or sneeze;
- And avoid crowded spaces and keeping your distancing (2m) for your personal safety;
- Do not host or attend social gathering; and
- Switch your careFIJI application by turning on your phone’s Bluetooth29. Who should I contact if I need more medical advice around COVID-19?
MoHMS number 3306177 or 158
Registering for your COVID-19 vaccination
30. Why do I have to register before I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
It is important to register for the vaccine because it will allow the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to determine when people will be able to receive their vaccine dose and that both doses are delivered on the proper timeline. We have a phased approach to vaccinating the community, which involves vaccinating health care and frontline workers, before moving to vaccinate the wider community.
This planning will help ensure that we vaccinate in a safe and efficient way.
31. Who can register to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you are 18 years and older, you are encouraged to register to receive your COVID-19 vaccine.
32. What documents do I need to register for the COVID-19?
Before you register, please ensure you have the following things with you:
- Your Birth Registration Number (BRN)or Citizenship Certificate Number or Permit Number.
- A copy of an official photo identification– this could be your passport, Voter Identification Card, FNPF Card, Driver’s License, Student ID or TIN Joint Card.
If you do not have a local birth certificate, you may use your Citizen Certificate Number. You can visit the health facility for further assistance with documentation or from a health mobile team around cities, towns, and in communities.
33. Do I have to pay to get my Birth Registration Number if I do not have a birth certificate with me?
You do not have to pay for the Birth Certificate, you may simply go to your nearest registration and vaccination site to get your Birth Registration Number, if not visit the nearest Birth, Deaths and Marriages Office (BDM) or speak to someone at the mobile health team doing registration.
34. Where do I register for the COVID-19 vaccine?
For online registrations please use this link to register: Vaccine Registration
35. If I have problems registering, who should I contact?
Should you have any issues with the registration process, please contact toll-free helpline 158.
You could also contact the ministry on:
| Ministry of Health HEADQUARTERS
Dinem House, 88 Amy Street, Toorak P.O Box 2223, Government Buildings, Suva |
P: 330 6177 |
36. I do not have a Birth Registration Number (BRN); can I still have the vaccine?
All Fiji citizens, over the age of 18, are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
If you have a copy of your Fijian Birth Certificate, you can find the BRN in the top corner of the certificate.
If you only have a Citizen Certificate, you may use this number to register for the vaccination.
37. I am a frontline worker, a work permit holder, but NOT a citizen. Can I still have the vaccine? If so, how do I register?
Yes you can have the vaccination, we will advise the public at large, as soon as we are ready to register all individuals with a permit holder.
| Frontline Worker | employees within essential industries who must physically show up to their jobs. These can be people who work within the tourism sector at key points of entry, individuals that work at hospitals, and healthcare professionals. |
| Efficacy | Vaccine efficacy is the percentage reduction of disease in a vaccinated group of people compared to an unvaccinated group. |
| Effectiveness | Vaccine effectiveness refers to how well the vaccine performs, under real-world conditions. |
| Side Effect | Any effect that is secondary to the intended effect of the vaccine. |
| Anti bodies | A protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses. |
| Herd Immunity | Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection from infectious disease that can occur with some diseases when a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune to an infection. This can be through vaccinations. |
| COVAX | COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, abbreviated as COVAX, is a global initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines led by UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and others |