21,062 children have received one dose of a COVID vaccine in Fiji

21,062 children aged between 15 to 17 years in Fiji have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Health Ministry says they will be tracking their vaccine coverage rates once they have firmed up their 15 to 17-year-olds age group denominator.

Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong says while the incidence and severity of the infection are lower in children, they have recorded severe disease in children in Fiji.

Dr Fong says furthermore, children can carry and spread the infection to others.

He adds apart from vaccination, children are also protected when adults around them are vaccinated and continue to practice COVID safe measures.