[Source: UNICEF]

Fiji will receive its second batch of COVID-19 vaccine from UNICEF after the remaining Pacific Islands countries receive their first batch.

Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett, says the second batch will take months to arrive as it depends on the completion of the shipments to the region.

Yett is reminding eligible Fijians that it is crucial for them to take the jabs.

“There is no specific date but I can tell you that additional supplies will be coming, first we need to make sure that all the countries in the Pacific get their vaccines that is happening now, so that is happening now, so I would expect in months we will get additional supplies here in Fiji but they will come.”

Yett says the negative effects of the vaccine are extremely rare and the benefit of the vaccine is crucial especially if the borders open.

He says they are also working with the Health Ministry to monitor Fijians after they get vaccinated for any side effects.