More than 150,000 doses of Moderna vaccine arrived in the country on Friday night and will be reserved for pregnant women who wish to protect themselves from the deadly COVID-19 virus.
The doses arrived at the Nadi International Airport through the multi-country COVAX facility and the US President, Joe Biden’s, commitment to offer 80 million doses of the vaccine to support global needs.
US Embassy chargé d’affaires (CDA) Tony Greubel said through the ingenuity of American scientists and the resilience and commitment of the American people, they were in a position to help others.
The donation was a response by the US Government to Fiji’s request for critical assistance needed to confront the evolving COVID-19 situation in the country.
According to the embassy, through a partnership with UNICEF, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) redirected funding to procure vital infection prevention and control items for Fiji’s Ministry of Health.
The delivery also followed the United States donation of 42 freezers to provide storage space for large quantities of vaccine as well as freezer packs, which would allow for the easy transportation of vaccines to inoculation sites.
The donation was funded by the United States Indo-Pacific Command’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid program.
