People must listen to advices from medical professionals when they say that vaccines are to protect each and every one of us. Advise coming from WHO recognises the hard work of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and its partners, especially UNICEF for securing vaccines of AstraZeneca COVID-19 from COVAX Facility and Sinopharm through the facility and making sure it reaches Vanuatu.

Over 7462 vaccine doses have been administered in Vanuatu. The Ministry of Health (MoH) anticipates a vaccination target of 166,500 eligible population, which is 18 years and above 20% of the target prioritised in the first phase of the vaccination rollout is around 33,000.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is providing transport to any residents in the five wards of the Port Vila Municipal Council (PVMC) who want to get vaccinated. Rollout to other communities in south and north Efate will commence soon.

Even though covid-19 vaccines rollout is progressing, however, there is still challenges remaining. And with the spread of new variants, mean communities and businesses must prepare in advance. Adapting public health measures and committing to health system arrangements such as making sure personal protective measure and importantly protecting business environment is highly important and for everyone to be vaccinated.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for the government in protecting the people, which results in the vaccines rollout. Businesses also has an important role to play in addressing the health and economic impacts of this crisis. In this critical time, businesses often have fewer option and greater constraints but many are still stepping up, providing flexibility for their workforce.

It is important for everyone to fully understand the duty of governments and that is protecting our health at this time, but this crisis also offers the opportunity for a turning point in our economy. As we work to rebuild our economy, we must make sure that it serves all sectors and private sector will always be a key player partner in transforming our country. The Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency is amongst the first Agencies to receive the first AstraZeneca boost.