Today marks a historic moment for Vanuatu as the Ministry of Health launches its COVID-19 vaccination roll out. With the long awaited and planned for COVID-19 vaccines arriving on 19 May, the 24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca will be the first COVID-19 vaccines to be used in Vanuatu to vaccinate the first 20 percent of its population. The vaccine will be rolled out initially to the prioritized populations on Efate and its offshore islands.

The vaccine which needs to be administered in two (2) doses, will initially be prioritized for the health care workers, front line workers, border and quarantine staff, including public transport drivers. Other priority groups in the first phase of the rollout include elderly people aged 55 and above and people over 35 with existing medical conditions.

Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Honourable, Bob Loughman stated, “What a fantastic opportunity Vanuatu has to be able to roll out the vaccine in a smooth and well thought through manner with the country being COVID-free. We know now that we have a safe and effective vaccine for use in Vanuatu to protect our country”. The Government would like to thank the Ministry of Health staffs who continue working tirelessly to deliver the first 24,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines consultation to priority groups and communities throughout Vanuatu.

The vaccine is not mandatory and people will be able to choose whether they would take the vaccine. People living in the communities are much more at risk than others due to the nature of the job as well as those at risk of serious complications due to COVID-19.

Today, high level influential leaders will receive their first dose of the vaccine to show an example to the priority groups and the public. Vaccine roll out will start for the prioritized populations at The National Convention Centre with schedule dates as follows;

• Thursday 3 June: Health care workers
• Friday 4 June: Airport workers (Air Vanuatu, AVL, private airlines and biosecurity) and Customs and Immigration
• Monday 7 June: Port Vila Land Transport Association (incl. taxi, bus, common transport, rental, drivers)
• Wednesday 9 June: Quarantine facilities and Wharf (Ifira Stevedoring, Ports and Harbour)
• Thursday 19 June: VMF/Vansec Policy College, Maritime Wing
• From Monday 14 June: Priority Groups 3 and 4 (Elderly 55 years and above and people with existing medical conditions)

While administering of vaccines doses brings hope, other preventative measures must continue step by step vaccination the population will enable citizens, organisation, more importantly businesses to return to normal operation as quickly as possible.

Every jab brings us one step closer to putting this pandemic behind us. Everyone urge to come forward as soon as they are called as part of the eligible groups in this first phase of rollout. The vaccine is safe and effective to everyone’s life. Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency -VFIPA acknowledge the work of the Government for its commitment on taking COVID-19 vaccine rollout as our greatest chance at ending this pandemic and enabling economic recovery.

The Government of Vanuatu and the Ministry of Health acknowledges the continues support of its partners including, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF for leading on procurement and supply of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of COVAX facility. And the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, UK for allocating funds to COVAX facility.