Many villagers of Nalotu in the district of Yawe on Kadavu were reluctant to get vaccinated because some health professionals did not get the jabs.
A villager told Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete during a talanoa session that this was the reason why many doubted the vaccine and preferred to go without it.
“Nurses and those within the ministry are supposed to lead by example and take the first step towards getting vaccinated,” the villager said.
“When the news came around the village that many health workers didn’t want to get the jabs, they refused to present themselves as well.”
In response, Dr Waqainabete said the decision to get vaccinated is the decision of every individual. “Some of them did not get the vaccine of their own choice,” he said.
Dr Waqainabete said at least 80 people within the ministry were not vaccinated, adding that religious beliefs also played a part in health staff refusing vaccination.
He reminded the villagers that it was pivotal to get the COVID-19 vaccine together with the booster shot.
When asked why the booster jab was necessary, Dr Waqainabete said it increased the level of protection against coronavirus and the Omicron variant.
Dr Waqainabete, who is on a tour of Kadavu with a FEMAT team, also highlighted that 11,700 people in Fiji have yet to be vaccinated.
