A total of 19,332 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine has been administered, since the national rollout program launch on the 2^nd of June 2021 in Port Vila. In its latest weekly update, the Ministry of Health (MoH) revealed the majority of the recipients were elderly persons (55 years and above) and those age 35 and above with known underlying conditions. There were almost 4,000 elderly recipients. Almost 3,000 are those with existing medical conditions, over 1,000 other frontline workers and over 600 health workers.

There have been no serious adverse events confirmed to be related to COVID-19 vaccine product or immunization, according to the MoH. Vaccine rollout for communities in north Efate continues for south Efate communities at the Convention with free transport, with preparations for the next vaccine rollout in Santo is now underway.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman had his first jab of the Sinopharm vaccine after the launching ceremony, which was held on the 15^th of June 2021 at the National Convention Centre in the capital city of Port Vila. Loughman thanked the Chinese government for donating the vaccines, saying these vaccines will play an important role to help Vanuatu roll out its vaccination program and protect the people's health and safety.

The Prime Minister Bob Loughman stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) has validated the Sinopharm vaccine for emergency use, which approves the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. He also encouraged Vanuatu people to get vaccinated so that the country could resume a normal life as early as possible. Over 1,000 people received their first doses on the first day of the Sinopharm vaccine official rollout to the public.

Right now, a total of 1,159 doses of Sinopharm vaccine were administered at the Convention Centre in Port Vila, the highest record in a single day since the rollout of the national vaccination program last month.

Due to increasing number of covid-19 cases in our neighbouring countries, businesses must support COVID-19-vaccine adoption among employees by building a safe working environment for everyone. Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency-VFIPA will continue to support the government in the covid-19 vaccine rollout and encourage businesses to united and fight the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccination rollout.