MHMS FIJI
MHMS FIJI

Archives 2021

Applying for COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate

17th December 2021

Applying for COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services informs members of the public intending to travel overseas, the requirements, and the application process for the issuance of a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

Traveling individuals are required to send an application for the vaccination certificate to the Ministry of Health & Medical Services via email: covidvaxcertificate@gmail.com and attach scanned copies of the following documents:

  1. Vaccination card (front and back copy),
  2. Biodata page of the passport,
  3. Travel itinerary (as proof of travel),
  4. Permit Number or Citizen Number if not a Fijian citizen.

The complete set of documents when received will be used to verify the individual’s vaccination status. Individuals must submit their request at least 14 days prior to the date of travel. The Ministry of Health will respond at least 2-3 days prior to the date of travel. Delays may be experienced if the information provided is not verifiable with the vaccine registration system.

Any individual who has been vaccinated in another country will need to provide an internationally recognized vaccination certificate issued by that country, therefore, they need not apply for a vaccination certificate from the Fijian Government.

Individuals who are applying for the vaccination certificate are informed that they must ensure that the name on the Birth Certificate matches the name on their Passport.

COVID-19 Update 17-12-2021

COVID-19 Situation Update

Friday 17th December

Transmission Update:

Since the last update, we have recorded a total of 19 new cases; of which 7 new cases were recorded on 16/12/2021, and 12 new cases in the last 24 hours ending at 8 am this morning.

This epidemic curve depicts the daily positive cases since the 2nd wave of this outbreak that began in April 2021. Overall, for this 2nd wave, there have been 52,553 cases recorded, with 71% of the cases from the Central Division, 28% of the cases from the Western Division, and 1% of the cases from the Eastern and Northern Divisions. 

Our National 7- day rolling average is 5 daily cases calculated for 13th December 2021.
Deaths:

This curve depicts the daily death count by division since the 2nd wave of this outbreak that began in April 2021. Overall, the death rate graphs for the Central and Western Divisions indicate a declining trend. The differences between the Central and Western are similar to the incidence of the daily cases and are likely a reflection of vaccination levels, COVID mitigation measures, and differences in population density.

There is no COVID-19 death to report.

There have been a total of 697 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 695 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. Please note that due to the time required by clinical teams to investigate, classify and report deaths, a 4-day interval is given to calculate the 7 days rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of December 13th, the national 7 days rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day is 0.0, with a case fatality rate of 1.32%.

We have recorded 612 COVID-19 positive patients who died from serious medical conditions they had before they contracted COVID-19; these are not classified as COVID-19 deaths.

Epidemic Outlook:

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalizations, test positivity, and deaths.

Occupancy rates in health facilities, the occupancy rate of ICU beds, death rates, and vaccination coverage are indicators to monitor our health response capacity and we see a decreasing trend across indicators from our health facilities with increasing vaccination coverage for adults and 15-17-year-olds in Fiji. With the commencement of vaccination for 12-14-year-olds, we expect their coverage to contribute to reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

With international travel open, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region and the emergence of the new variant Omicron, we anticipate continued surveillance and testing at our borders, communities, and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

In a widely publicized statement yesterday the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom has clearly stated sentiments that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has been promoting for a long time

“Seventy-seven countries have now reported cases of Omicron, and the reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn’t been detected yet. Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant”

“We’re concerned that people are dismissing Omicron as mild. Surely, we have learned by now that we underestimate this virus at our peril. Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems”

“I need to be very clear: vaccines alone will not get any country out of this crisis. Countries can – and must – prevent the spread of Omicron with measures that work today. It’s not vaccines instead of masks. It’s not vaccines instead of distancing. It’s not vaccines instead ventilation or hand hygiene. Do it all. Do it consistently. Do it well”

He also highlighted evolving evidence that suggests a small decline in the effectiveness of vaccines against severe COVID19 disease and death, and a decline in preventing mild disease or infection.

The message from MOHMS today is, therefore, the same:

  1. If a variant is transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID-19 virus, especially as the Omicron variant is also spreading into some of our travel partner countries. To protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our country, we must all get vaccinated when it is our turn. And even with our high vaccination levels, we must maintain COVID safe habits: mask wisely by carrying a well-fitted mask when you leave your home and wear the mask properly in public indoor spaces, public service vehicles, and outdoor crowded spaces; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; 2-meter physical distancing and ensure you are wearing a mask if you cannot maintain distance; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  2. The discovery of OMICRON is a sharp reminder to ourselves that the key to avoiding future restrictions and lockdowns is for us all to remain cautious about how we engage in the greater freedom we will enjoy. Whilst the easing of restrictions is needed to facilitate livelihoods, we must ensure that together with vaccination, we continue to observe our COVID safe measures and avoid contained spaces and crowds.

As Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, I remain extremely concerned at the lack of adherence to COVID safe measures in gatherings throughout the country, especially the adherence to masking in indoor public spaces. After the Delta outbreak this year, it is understandable that many will feel the urge to relax and celebrate now that case numbers are low, especially during the festive season. And many of us have let our guards slip.  We are all human. But this must stop as vaccination AND COVID Safe measures are the only way to safely navigate our way through the pandemic while facilitating socioeconomic recovery and well-being.

 

COVID-19 Update 15-12-2021

COVID-19 Situation Update

Wednesday, 15th December

Transmission Update:

In the past 7 days, 15 cases were recorded in the Central division, 12 new cases in the Western division, 2 new cases in the Eastern Division, and nil new cases in the Northern Division. The Central Division cases constitute 71% of the cumulative total cases nationally, with the Western division making up 28% and 1% in the Northern and Eastern Divisions. 

Since the last update, we have recorded 11 new cases of which 5 new cases were recorded on 14/12/2021 and 6 new cases in the last 24 hours ending at 8 am this morning.

The national 7-day rolling average of cases as of 11th December is 5 daily cases.

The weekly incidence rate graph by division indicates a continually declining trend. Furthermore, the peak weekly incidence in the western division was approximately a third of that in the central division, and the cumulative case numbers are also reflecting a similar difference. 
Deaths:

This curve depicts the weekly death rate per 1000 population by divisions since October 2021. Overall, the death rate graphs for the Central and Western Divisions indicate a declining trend. The differences between the Central and Western are similar to the incidence of the weekly cases and are likely a reflection of vaccination levels, COVID mitigation measures, and differences in population density.

There is no COVID-19 death to report.

There have been 697 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 695 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. Please note that due to the time required by clinical teams to investigate, classify and report deaths, a 4-day interval is given to calculate the 7 days rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of December 11th, the national 7 days rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day is 0.0, with a case fatality rate of 1.32%.

We have recorded 611 COVID-19 positive patients who died from serious medical conditions they had before they contracted COVID-19; these are not classified as COVID-19 deaths.
Hospitalisation:

The downward trend in both the new hospital admissions and total admissions in all hospitals admitting COVID-19 patients across the country is consistent with the cases and death trends. The hospital admissions continue on a downward trend indicating a sustained positive response to COVID mitigation measures, Population density differences, and differential Vaccination rates.
Testing:

385 tests have been reported for December 14th, 2021. The 7-day daily test average is 345 tests per day or 0.4 tests per 1,000 population.

The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 1.8%, which is within the WHO recommendation of 5%, and this is illustrated by the lab testing graph. Though we continue testing in high-risk areas, our case numbers and test positivity rate indicate a better control of the community transmission in Fiji through the combined efforts of containment and mitigation measures with ongoing community surveillance.

Epidemic Outlook:

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalizations, test positivity, and deaths.

Occupancy rates in health facilities, the occupancy rate of ICU beds, death rates, and vaccination coverage are indicators to monitor our health response capacity and we see a decreasing trend across indicators from our health facilities with increasing vaccination coverage for adults and 15-17-year-olds in Fiji. With the commencement of vaccination for 12-14-year-olds, we expect their coverage to contribute to reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

With international travel open, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region and the emergence of the new variant Omicron, we anticipate continued surveillance and testing at our borders, communities, and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

In a widely publicized statement today the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom has clearly stated sentiments that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has been promoting for a long time

“Seventy-seven countries have now reported cases of Omicron, and the reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn’t been detected yet. Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant”

“We’re concerned that people are dismissing Omicron as mild. Surely, we have learned by now that we underestimate this virus at our peril. Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems”

“I need to be very clear: vaccines alone will not get any country out of this crisis. Countries can – and must – prevent the spread of Omicron with measures that work today. It’s not vaccines instead of masks. It’s not vaccines instead of distancing. It’s not vaccines instead ventilation or hand hygiene. Do it all. Do it consistently. Do it well”

He also highlighted evolving evidence that suggests a small decline in the effectiveness of vaccines against severe COVID19 disease and death, and a decline in preventing mild disease or infection.

The message from MOHMS today is, therefore, the same:

  1. If a variant is transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID-19 virus, especially as the Omicron variant is also spreading into some of our travel partner countries. To protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our country, we must all get vaccinated when it is our turn. And even with our high vaccination levels, we must maintain COVID safe habits: mask wisely by carrying a well-fitted mask when you leave your home and wear the mask properly in public indoor spaces, public service vehicles, and outdoor crowded spaces; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; 2-meter physical distancing and ensure you are wearing a mask if you cannot maintain distance; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  2. The discovery of OMICRON is a sharp reminder to ourselves that the key to avoiding future restrictions and lockdowns is for us all to remain cautious about how we engage in the greater freedom we will enjoy. Whilst the easing of restrictions is needed to facilitate livelihoods, we must ensure that together with vaccination, we continue to observe our COVID safe measures and avoid contained spaces and crowds.

As Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, I remain extremely concerned at the lack of adherence to COVID safe measures in gatherings throughout the country, especially the adherence to masking in indoor public spaces. After the Delta outbreak this year, it is understandable that many will feel the urge to relax and celebrate now that case numbers are low, especially during the festive season. And many of us have let our guards slip.  We are all human. But this must stop as vaccination AND COVID Safe measures are the only way to safely navigate our way through the pandemic while facilitating socioeconomic recovery and well-being.

 

COVID-19 Update 13-12-2021

COVID-19 Situation Update

Monday 13th December

Transmission Update:

Since the last update, we have recorded a total of 16 new cases; of which 7 new cases were recorded on 11/12/2021, 5 new cases were recorded on 12/12/2021, and 4 new cases in the last 24 hours ending at 8 am this morning.

This epidemic curve depicts the daily positive cases since the 2nd wave of this outbreak that began in April 2021. Overall, for this 2nd wave, there have been 52,523 cases recorded, with 71% of the cases from the Central Division, 28% of the cases from the Western Division, and 1% of the cases from the Eastern and Northern Division. 

Our National 7- day rolling average is 5 daily cases calculated for 9th December 2021.
Deaths:

This curve depicts the daily death count by division since the 2nd wave of this outbreak that began in April 2021. Overall, the death rate graphs for the Central and Western Divisions indicate a declining trend. The differences between the Central and Western are similar to the incidence of the daily cases and are likely a reflection of vaccination levels, COVID mitigation measures, and differences in population density.

There is no COVID-19 death to report.

There have been a total of 697 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 695 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. Please note that due to the time required by clinical teams to investigate, classify and report deaths, a 4-day interval is given to calculate the 7 days rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of December 9th, the national 7 days rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day is 0.0, with a case fatality rate of 1.32%.

We have recorded 609 COVID-19 positive patients who died from serious medical conditions they had before they contracted COVID-19; these are not classified as COVID-19 deaths.

Epidemic Outlook:

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalizations, test positivity, and deaths.

Occupancy rates in health facilities, the occupancy rate of ICU beds, death rates, and vaccination coverage are indicators to monitor our health response capacity and we see a decreasing trend across indicators from our health facilities with increasing vaccination coverage for adults and 15-17-year-olds in Fiji. With the commencement of vaccination for 12-14-year-olds, we expect their coverage to contribute to reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

With international travel open, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region and the emergence of the new variant Omicron, we anticipate continued surveillance and testing at our borders, communities, and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is aware of misinformation being peddled widely on social media. The evidence on the Omicron variant’s impact on the transmissibility of the virus, severity of disease, and effect of prior immunity (from vaccination or infection) is not yet conclusive. While preliminary evidence indicates that it does not make people sicker than the Delta and other strains it is important to point out that widespread transmission is still dangerous for Fiji. Even if severe disease occurs in a small percentage, a large-scale transmission will result in large numbers of sick individuals in Fiji which will stress any health system.

The Ministry has also rolled out the comprehensive surveillance program in all its subdivisions as we welcome the opening of international and local borders and travel restrictions into our community are gradually uplifted. A part of this surveillance program includes the ongoing testing conducted for patients, relatives, and staff at our main hospitals and the current restriction of visitations into hospitals. Members of the public are encouraged to assist our health teams in abiding by these visitation restrictions and to agree to be screened and tested when allowed into the hospitals.

The Ministry reiterates its advice on our maintaining adherence to the COVID safe measures of masking, physical distancing, washing hands regularly, covering our mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19. These measures remain the key to stopping any disease outbreak in our communities.

With the ongoing vaccination campaign for COVID-19 and identification of 2 cases of Measles in the Serua-Namosi Health Subdivision, the Ministry is also focused on stepping up the national immunization program for vaccine-preventable disease. A national plan has now been put together to roll out early in January for the vaccination of all children in the eligible age groups against diseases that are prevented with childhood immunization. In the meantime, all parents are encouraged to review their children’s vaccination cards, in particular those below the age of 5 years, to ensure that their vaccination is up to date. Please contact your nearest health facility if your child has missed out on any scheduled vaccination.

COVID-19 Update 10-12-2021

COVID-19 Situation Update

Friday 10th December

Transmission Update:

Since the last update, we have recorded a total of 10 new cases; of which 5 new cases were recorded on 09/12/2021, and 5 new cases in the last 24 hours ending at 8 am this morning.

This epidemic curve depicts the daily positive cases since the 2nd wave of this outbreak that began in April 2021. Overall for this 2nd wave, there have been 52,507 cases recorded, with 71% of the cases from the Central Division, 28% of the cases from the Western Division, and 1% of the cases from the Eastern and Northern Divisions.

Our National 7- day rolling average is 6 daily cases calculated for 6th December 2021.
Deaths:

This curve depicts the daily death count by division since the 2nd wave of this outbreak that began in April 2021. Overall, the death rate graphs for the Central and Western Divisions indicate a declining trend. The differences between the Central and Western are similar to the incidence of the daily cases and are likely a reflection of vaccination levels, COVID mitigation measures, and differences in population density.

There is no COVID-19 death to report.

There have been a total of 697 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 695 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. Please note that due to the time required by clinical teams to investigate, classify and report deaths, a 4-day interval is given to calculate the 7 days rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of December 5th, the national 7 days rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day is 0.0, with a case fatality rate of 1.32%.

We have recorded 609 COVID-19 positive patients who died from serious medical conditions they had before they contracted COVID-19; these are not classified as COVID-19 deaths.

Epidemic Outlook:

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalizations, test positivity, and deaths.

Occupancy rates in health facilities, the occupancy rate of ICU beds, death rates, and vaccination coverage are indicators to monitor our health response capacity and we see a decreasing trend across indicators from our health facilities with increasing vaccination coverage for adults and 15-17-year-olds in Fiji. With the commencement of vaccination for 12-14-year-olds, we expect their coverage to contribute to reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

With international travel open, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region and the emergence of the new variant Omicron, our border health measures, and surveillance will need to be strengthened and maintained. We anticipate continued surveillance and testing in our communities and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

We are aware of misinformation being peddled widely on Social Media, and we reiterated that the evidence on Omicron variant’s impact on the transmissibility of the virus, severity of disease, and effect of prior immunity (from vaccination or infection) is still in the very early stages, so conclusions cannot be made yet. However, preliminary evidence indicates that it does not make people sicker than the Delta and other strains. If anything, the direction is towards less severity.  We again emphasize that this data is very early and more will be known in the coming days and weeks.

Furthermore, this variant may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and it may cause reinfection in people who have been previously infected with another variant. The Omicron variant has been seen to infect people who are fully vaccinated – although, so far, the fully vaccinated cases have been generally mild or with no symptoms.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Service is working with COVID safe spotters from other government agencies to escalate the fining of individuals and corporate bodies exhibiting non-compliance to COVID safe measures. These spot fines must be seen as a means to promote COVID safe measures; as such, it is NOT the intention that every single transgression will be picked up and fined. Any large resurgence in cases, whether caused by the Delta variant or Omicron variant, is likely to undermine our social and economic recovery program. We now need to maintain our COVID guard and ensure we protect ourselves at all times.

Another reason for the extensive community-wide adoption and practice of COVID safe measures is that we need to create a safe environment for our children to return to school. We have started vaccinating our children aged 12 years and upwards and will continue our school vaccination program for all vaccine-preventable diseases when school starts. Improving vaccination in older children and all adults in the school environment provides extra protection to children less than 12 years. And further protection is achieved by facilitating COVID safe measures in the school, and with better compliance to COVID safe measures in the community especially with regards to social gatherings. We acknowledge our children who have stepped forward to get vaccinated, and again encourage parents to agree to the vaccination of their children who are in the age group 12 years old and over.