Australia provides further 50,000 vaccines

Australia has provided Fiji with another batch of 50,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

Health Minister, Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete says they thank Australia for the gift of vaccines and also for the one million-doses of COVID-19 vaccine pledge which will greatly ensure that we meet the target population.

He says the vaccines are very important in terms of Fiji’s containment strategy.

Dr. Waqainabete adds they also want to make sure that they work very effectively in supporting the economic hope of our nation.

Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes says the Australian Government is very pleased and eager to assist Fiji during this crucial time.

He says he is confident that by the end of this week they will have delivered close to 120,000 vaccines to Fiji.

Australia has also provided a polymerase chain reaction testing machine to Fiji.

Feakes says Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, is absolutely genuinely pleased about helping Fiji out during this dreadful pandemic as he has a particular affinity with Fiji, having visited many times in his private capacity including his recent visit in 2019.

He says he expects Morrison to write to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama either this week or early next week in setting up a schedule for the delivery of vaccines.

Feakes also congratulated Waqainabete and his staff at the Ministry for all their selfless work in containing the COVID-19 virus while working closely with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police Force.