Covid-19 vaccination

YouTube to remove all anti-vaccine misinformation

Videos that say approved vaccines are dangerous and cause autism, cancer or infertility are among those that will be taken down, the company said.

The policy includes the termination of accounts of anti-vaccine influencers.

Tech giants have been criticised for not doing more to counter false health information on their sites.

In July, US President Joe Biden said social media platforms were largely responsible for people's scepticism in getting vaccinated by spreading misinformation, and appealed for them to address the issue.

Vanuatu Seasonal Workers required to be fully vaccinated

Commissioner of Labour, Murielle Meltenoven said ,“If any Ni-Vanuatu chooses to apply to join an Australia or NZ labour mobility scheme, they have the responsibility to ensure they are fully vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and communities here, and the communities they join abroad.”

“There is a transition time period in which seasonal workers will be allowed to depart if they received only one vaccine.”

“This is to enable seasonal workers who may not have time to receive both vaccinations, to still be able to travel to New Zealand or Australia in 2022.”

Over 11,000 children in Fiji receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

The Ministry of Health organised the vaccination drive for students between the ages of 15 to 17.

The roll out for students began on Monday.

Permanent Secretary, Doctor James Fong said they are overwhelmed with the turnout as they continue to track vaccine coverage rate.

The second jab will be administered at an interval of 28 days.

     

Crunch time for no jab no job policy fast approaching in Solomon Islands

on half-pay from the 31st of October.

This was announced by the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare this week and will apply to any employee of the national or provincial governments as well as state owned enterprises.

Mr Sogavare said if by 1 January 2022 they still have not taken up the vaccine their employment will be terminated.

It is the strongest messaging yet to come from the government with so far only 6.4 percent of the eligible population full vaccinated against the virus.

Over 14,000 people fully vaccinated in Vanuatu

The Ministry of Health said 42,840 of the eligible population have received their first dose of the vaccine.

7, 723 are elderly people, 5, 104 are people with known underlying conditions, 881 health workers and 1, 691 other frontline workers.

Director of Public Health, Len Tarivonda said that out of the 94,000 doses of vaccines received in Vanuatu, 57,000 doses have been administered to Efate and Santo.

There are no serious adverse events or deaths confirmed to be related to COVID-19, the ministry said in its latest COVID-19 report.

Villagers in remote Fiji plead for food, refuse Covid-19 vaccine

Two districts in the Yasawas, west of the country, have sought help for households in isolation that have no access to basic food supply.

Tourist hotspots Naviti and Nacula are both experiencing an increase in Covid-19 cases, are seeking assistance for households in isolation that have no access to basic food supply.

The Government confirmed a total of 121 new cases and nine deaths in the last 24 hours.

This takes the total of cases to 12,948, with the death toll at 575.

Fiji begins vaccination rollout for teens

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services said children in this age bracket were being vaccinated first as these children were mostly in secondary school and some of them are nearing the end of their secondary education.

The ministry's advisory said that children will need to receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine which is administered at a dose interval of 28 days.

Parents and guardians will be asked to sign a consent form for children receiving this vaccine.

     

Auckland teen's death 'does not appear' to be linked to COVID-19 vaccine - chief coroner

In a statement, Judge Deborah Marshall said she had been aware of "ongoing speculation" about the cause of death surrounding the teenager.

"Based on the information available to date, it does not appear that the death in question is linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine," she said.

"However, this issue will be investigated carefully by the coroner and pertinent information will be requested from various agencies, including the COVID-19 Vaccination Independent Safety Monitoring Board."

Over 11,000 people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Vanuatu

A total of 50,606 doses of the vaccine has been administered so far.

According to health officials, a person is fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose.

More than 40,000 have received their first dose of the vaccine.

845 health workers have been vaccinated and over 1,000 are frontline workers.

The MOH reported 237 adverse events following immunization, majority notified to be mild to moderate side-effects.

11 of the cases classified as serious adverse events required assessment.

Pasifika mass vaccination events launching around New Zealand

The first drive-through event which coincides with Tonga Language week - runs from 8.30am-4pm, Thursday to Saturday at the Free Wesleyan Church Of Tonga.

As of this week, 56 percent of the eligible Pacific population 12+ years have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Pacific Response Co-ordination Team chair Pakilau Manase Lua said Tonga is a proud nation with community spirit and hopes to capture 12-30 year-olds who are yet to be vaccinated.