11 Jul 2021

Fiji rugby union to address player concerns about vaccine message

11:29 pm on 11 July 2021

The Fiji rugby union says it will discuss players' concerns about wearing jerseys supporting Covid vaccinations before the second test against the All Blacks in Hamilton.

No caption

Fiji took on the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday night. Photo: PHOTOSPORT/ Andrew Cornaga

The team were supposed to wear jerseys with the words "Vaccinate Fiji" on the chest in Saturday's 57-23 loss to New Zealand, but the idea was ditched because of opposition from some team members.

The country is being hit hard by a Covid-19 outbreak, with over 8000 active cases in isolation and 52 deaths.

As of 9 July, 349,396 Fijians have received their first dose of the vaccine and 65,618 have received their second dose.

The Covid-19 Drive-Through Vaccination Centre in Suva.

A drive-through vaccination centre in Suva, Fiji. Photo: Facebook/Fiji govt

Health Secretary James Fong said this meant 59.6 percent of the target population have received at least one dose and 11.2 percent are now fully vaccinated nation-wide.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama on Thursday revealed tough new rules to encourage people to get immunised against the coronavirus.

Fijian public servants have been told they will be sacked if they do not get fully vaccinated by 1 November, this year.

Fiji Rugby chief executive John O'Connor said the union would talk to players and sponsors to decide the best way to promote the "Vaccinate Fiji" message in next Saturday's game.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs