Current COVID-19 vaccination campaign about to end soon as 50,000 target about to be reached – Dr Waqainabete

The Health Ministry is about to reach it’s target of vaccinating 50,000 people in the country to protect them against COVID-19 and the number of vaccination centres open today have been reduced compared to earlier this week.

Large crowds are turning up today at centres like Vodafone Arena to get the AstraZeneca jab, and it is getting clear that the demand for the vaccine in the country is now exceeding the limited number of doses available.

Only one centre is open in Suva today while none are open in Nasinu, Nausori and Lami.

Some centres open in different parts of the country today only have the opening time and the closing time will depend on the availability of the number of doses as it may finish earlier than expected.

Health Minister, Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete says they are close to the 50,000 target and he assures those who miss out will be vaccinated in the next batch.

Doctor Waqainabete says the Health Ministry will ensure everyone above 18 years is vaccinated.

He has thanked all those who have come in to get vaccinated.

Another 90,000 doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive in the next few weeks. However there is no confirmation on the timeline at this stage.