Government is working around the clock to address the misinformation disseminated regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong made the comment yesterday while responding to the lockdown of Delakado Village in Dawasamu, Tailevu.
Last week Thursday after consultations, the whole village agreed in consensus to close the village entrance and not allow the vaccination team to enter and conduct vaccinations.
The vaccination team was scheduled to conduct vaccinations at Delakado Village the following day on Friday.
There are approximately 400 villagers in Delakado.
Dr Fong said his teams on the ground are aware of the situation and are going out of their way to work with the community to address the disinformation that are out there.
“People are fearful so we will have to address those anxieties and fears rather than trying to force everybody. That is an ongoing programme,” Dr Fong said.
“It has become a whole of Government programme to deal with it and improve our community engagement so that we can move together towards the vaccination target.”
Delakado Village leader Waisea said they decided to close the village after he was approached by concerned villagers who are scared of being vaccinated.
He said their fear stemmed from the positive cases registered in Korovou as announced by Dr Fong on June 15.
“The villagers came and told me that they are scared of the vaccination campaign that is happening. Those who were doing the vaccination drive here all contracted COVID-19, including those who were accompanying them,” Delakado Village leader Waisea said.
“The villagers are concerned that this virus is being carried around by those who are doing the vaccinations.
“The vaccination drive started in Nakorotubu in Ra before coming to Dawasamu which is when they (COVID-19 Response Team) got sick.
“On Friday they were scheduled to come to the village but we had a village meeting on Thursday and everyone agreed not to allow the vaccination team and outsiders into the village.”
Delakado Village leader Waisea confirmed that no one in Delakado Village has since been vaccinated.
Meanwhile, more than 272,354 Fijians have received their first dose of the vaccine while more than 38,031 people have been fully vaccinated.
Edited by Selita Rabuku
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