COVID-19 Update 31-01-2022
Last Updated on 1 year by Publishing Team
COVID-19 Situation Update
Monday 31st January 2022
Public Advisory:
Since my press statement of Friday, 28th January 2022, the hospital admissions data and informal employment data continue to indicate a downward trend in transmission. The death reports generated reflect delays not only in reporting but also in transmission as many of the deaths have occurred in a population that was not mobile.
The initial and subsequent analysis of the deaths in the vaccine-eligible population during this third wave has revealed that fully vaccinated adults have a 16.2 times lower rate of death from COVID-19 than unvaccinated adults. This is comparable to rates seen overseas, which is an indication of the quality of our COVID-19 vaccination program, even with the urgency of ensuring rapid deployment of vaccines in a very short time period. A testament to the work put in by our dedicated health teams and partner agencies to ensure that protocols are followed, and vaccines are administered properly to the people of Fiji. The huge difference in death rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated adults is even further evidence that vaccination lowers the risk of severe disease outcomes from COVID-19.
We have also highlighted how severe comorbidities and poor health-seeking behaviour have vastly contributed to severe outcomes. There has also been comprehensive global data to indicate that COVID 19 will remain endemic and as such will persist as a danger to the unvaccinated, those with severe comorbidities, and those in need of support to engage in better health-seeking behaviour.
All this indicates a need for a national reset for our national discourse on the health of our people. We need a new focus, from the media and members of the public, on chronic disease (especially NCDs) and health-seeking behaviour.
This speaks to 3 distinct strategies to facilitate resilience:
- Prevention of preventable chronic diseases of which NCDs are the most prominent
- Better control of controllable chronic diseases of which NCDs are the most prominent
- The promotion of better health-seeking behaviour
We will also need to urgently review and strengthen our public health measures to find, stop and prevent health threats wherever they arise. Much of this will depend on a coordinated effort to detect these health threats early, investigate and put in control measures early. The Medical Subdivisional Teams have been reminded to review and strengthen their community surveillance program and line list management of vulnerable persons.
However, the impact of these efforts cannot be sustained unless we get a broad level of support from the community in implementing the 3 strategies alluded to above and at the same time reduce the transmission of COVID-19 to protect our vulnerable populations. Maintaining the Vaccine Plus approach remains critical.
Vaccination
The booster dose program began at the end of November 2021. As of January 31st, 73,630 individuals have so far received booster doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the 142, 240 persons considered eligible. This represents a 52% coverage rate for booster-eligible persons. We are also expecting to receive more Pfizer vaccines this week to be used for booster doses and as a vaccine for children. The booster vaccine and vaccination for children are not considered mandatory, however, we encourage all eligible individuals to be vaccinated or get a booster dose, and help navigate Fiji into a safer covid zone that supports the socio-economic revival and safer reopening of schools.
Vaccination of children under 12 years remains part of ongoing discussions as sourcing them remains difficult.