Vanuatu will soon receive the COVID-19 vaccine and thanks to the alliance that brings together governments and their partners including WHO, World Bank and UNICEF, for working together via the Global COVID-19 Vaccine Access Facility known as COVAX facility, to make sure that there is a fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all. Through these partnerships, the Vanuatu Government expects vaccines to begin arriving in Vanuatu during 2021 and will keep the public informed of the plan for rollout.

Vanuatu will receive vaccines to cover up to 20% of the population in the initial rollout. Given the expected initial limited supply of vaccines, priority will be given to most exposed population such as health care workers, border workers, and quarantine facility workers. And the people with most at risk of severe disease, particularly, elderly population and people with diabetes, high-blood pressure, including underlying health conditions. Distribution to the wider population will follow the initial rollout.

Vanuatu National Coronavirus (COVID-19) Taskforce Advisory, through the Ministry of Health is currently undertaking preparations to make sure that the health system is ready and vaccines are delivered to Vanuatu where they can be stored and delivered to communities safely. The National Deployment and Vaccination Plan (NDVP) provides the framework for this covering coordination mechanisms, regulatory preparedness, and supply chain. This includes waste management, training of healthcare workers, risk communication and community engagement activities and vaccine safety monitoring and management systems.

Despite the COVID-19 ongoing threat, the Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency -VFIPA will remain pro-active in keeping both new and existing investors informed about the development of COVID-19 vaccines and its rollout once it lands in Vanuatu.  The VFIPA believes this will provide assurance to national recovery plans in place and boost businesses confidence among businesses in Vanuatu including their employees.

This positive news came after the National Parliament of Vanuatu endorsed a motion to indemnify manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccine. It is expected the first arrival of the vaccine will arrive in Vanuatu in two or three week’s time. The Government of Vanuatu and the Ministry of Health will be working with local authorities to facilitate the COVID-19 vaccine rollout process and appeal to the public to stand on the principle of getting vaccinated in order to protect themselves and others as well.