Frontliners will soon get their fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine after the Health Ministry noticed an increase in cases of the disease.

Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong said frontliners at all the ports will be getting their fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

In an interview, Dr Fong said the good thing about vaccination is that they tend to slow transmission throughout the community.

“We had a discussion regarding the fourth jab for front liners. We have made a decision that all front liners will be getting their fourth coronavirus vaccine,” he said.

“I think our Fiji Airways team, staff at the Nadi International Airport and staff at the tourism sectors will also be getting their fourth coronavirus vaccine.

“With the dose amongst children, it’s a discussion that we need to that we've already had. We have every intention of bringing it in.

 “So what we're looking at is at least if we can get about 30 percent of the eligible children getting vaccinated, that pushes our coverage rate up to 90 percent for six years and up.

“Everybody will then still have the prerogative amongst themselves whether or not they want to be protected.

“For the in terms of slowing down national spread, we do need more than 90 percent of the population to get their third dose of the coronavirus vaccine,” he said.

He said the slowing down of transmission does not allow the Health Ministry to do any big major socio-economically damaging public health measures.

By Nacanieli Tuilevuka