Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji

07/22/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/21/2021 22:03

PM BAINIMARAMA ACKNOWLEDGES THE U.S GOVERNMENT’S PROVISION OF THE COVID-19 MODERNA VACCINE- (22-07-2021)

Suva - Prime Minister, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama today was joined by the Embassy of the United States Chargé d'Affaires, Mr. Tony Greubel at a Press Conference to mark the arrival of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, an assistance committed by the President of the United States, Joe Biden.
In acknowledging the U.S Government for their commitment to Fiji's COVID-19 response effort, the Prime Minister said, 'I want to thank President Biden for this important initiative. He has shown the kind of leadership the world needs and expects from the United States. Full American engagement in the global fight against COVID is more than a great asset in this fight. It is absolutely indispensable. We need this kind of cooperation from all the world's developed countries as well as the advanced developing countries that have the capacity to produce vaccines.'
The donated Moderna vaccine is the U.S Government's response to the Fijian Government's request for assistance in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the timely arrival of the vaccine is expected to boost Fiji's ongoing nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign. In discussing the vaccine donation, Chargé Greubel said, 'We are proud to support Fiji through this COVID-19 outbreak, especially by sharing these 150,080 Moderna vaccines. It takes cooperation from everyone to bring this difficult period to a swift conclusion. We encourage all Fijians to protect themselves, their families, and their communities by taking two doses of the vaccine as soon as possible.'
With the support of the U.S Government through the COVAX Facility, Fiji received a batch of 150, 080 doses of the Moderna vaccine which arrived in Fiji on Friday 16 July, 2021. The shipment is said to be part of the 80 million doses of vaccine that President Biden committed from the U.S vaccine supply for global sustenance. In a recent statement, President Biden said the U.S Government is sharing the doses not to secure favors or extract concessions but to save lives and lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic.
The Prime Minister added that 'the Moderna vaccine has been approved specifically in the US and by the W.H.O. for use by pregnant women, which should put some minds at ease. Anyone who has had doubts about the vaccine because you are pregnant or a family member is pregnant should take heart and make arrangements for vaccination. Beginning this week, women who have completed their first trimester of pregnancy will be able to receive the Moderna vaccine.'
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services rolled out the Moderna vaccine on 19 July, 2021 administering the vaccine on expectant mothers who have completed their first trimester or first three months of pregnancy to protect them against the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and other consequences of COVID-19.
Included in the priority list of the Moderna vaccine are individuals above 60 years of age and those with severe comorbidities such as chronic lung disease, significant cardiac disease, severe obesity, diabetes, liver disease and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection within the Suva to Nausori corridor. Similar to the AstraZeneca vaccine, two doses of the Moderna vaccine can protect individuals from severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to thank Chargé Greubel and his team from the U.S Embassy for their support saying 'you have been here with us as we have fought this pandemic, and you know the fight we are engaged in. With the help of the U.S. and our friends in Australia and New Zealand, we have everything we need to contain this virus and get back to normal. We have enough vaccine doses for every Fijian, and we are busy getting them in people's arms.'