Vaccine delivery

The 85% shortfall comes two days after Brisbane entered another snap lockdown to combat a small outbreak.

Last week the government said the vaccine rollout did not demand urgency given Australia's low infection rates.

The country has recorded 909 deaths and 29,300 cases since the pandemic began - far fewer than many other nations.

But sporadic outbreaks have led to six lockdowns in cities in recent months. Critics say situations like Brisbane's outbreak show why a quick vaccine programme is still needed.

“Ensuring vital supplies at health facilities are consistently available is an ongoing challenge for Vanuatu due to geography, logistics and high costs. An important step for dealing with some of these challenges to providing healthcare to vulnerable communities is looking at innovative ways such as the use of drones,” said Director General of the Ministry of Health in Vanuatu, George Taleo.

The first phase of the drone trials will take place during the week of 3-7 December when these two drone companies will test the viability of delivering vaccines to inaccessible areas.

The drone trials aim to test the capacity, efficiency and effectiveness of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems (UAVSs), more commonly known as drones, to deliver lifesaving vaccines to inaccessible remote Vanuatu communities.

At least 13 drone companies from different countries applied to participate in the self-funded drone challenge in August, of which eight were issued with formal invitations to demonstrate capabilities of their drones in Vanuatu.

The candidates selected to participate in the trials are: Volans-i inc., Martek Marine Ltd, JAR Aerospace Pty Ltd, Colugo Systems, Finish the Call LLC, and Firetail Bormatec JV.

These six self-funded candidates will travel in August to Vanuatu from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Israel and Australia to demonstrate the performance of their drones.