COVID-19 Vaccine

Xi Jinping and other leaders given domestic vaccine

The news was released as part of a campaign to increase vaccination rates, especially of boosters.

The deputy head of China's National Health Commission, Zeng Yixin, said it showed the leadership's confidence in the Chinese vaccines.

Health information about these figures is not usually shared with the public.

Mr Zeng said the country's leaders had "all taken the home-grown Covid-19 vaccination jabs".

NZ to donate more vaccines to COVAX

The Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the latest donation to COVAX will also support vaccination programmes in developing countries, including in parts of the Pacific and in Africa where immunisation rates are low.

New Zealand is contributing a further 7.3 million vaccines to COVAX including 5.8 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine and 1.5 million doses of Janssen vaccine.

Through New Zealand's Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) with Pfizer, paediatric vaccine doses are also being provided to countries in Polynesia.

US delays Covid vaccine for children under five by at least two months

The FDA had planned to decide on the vaccine based on early trial data as soon as next week with the government planning to roll it out on 21 February. It had asked Pfizer to speed up its application as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus caused a surge of infections, including among children.

On Friday, the agency said it had reviewed new trial information that arrived after Pfizer and BioNTech's request for emergency authorisation and decided it needed more data before weighing in on the authorisation.

Vanuatu to stop 1st AstraZeneca doses end of Jan, 2nd doses to continue

This means adults who have not received any AstraZeneca doses by that date will not be eligible to receive this vaccine.

However, they will be able to receive the Sinopharm vaccine.

“People who wish to get vaccinated with AstraZeneca vaccine are therefore encouraged to come forward to receive their first dose vaccine as soon as possible before the end of January”.

Vanuatu to receive extra Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine doses

The doses are to be donated through the COVAX Facility.

The agreement to allow for NZ to supply the extra single-shot vaccines, has been signed by the Minister of Finance, Johnny Koanapo.

The first 28, 800 J&J vaccine were received from the governments of Portugal and Netherlands through the COVAX Facility early last month.

J&J is the third vaccine to be introduced in Vanuatu, after AstraZeneca and Sinopharm.

     

Australia says it's given 2.1 million vaccines doses to the region

The Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja told parliament this was one of the reasons why assistance to the Pacific remains critical.

He said on pandemic response, Australia had fronted up with COVID-19 vaccines.

"We have now gifted over 2.1 million life-saving vaccines to our neighbourhood. Because until everyone is safe from COVID, nobody is safe.

"And similarly, hundreds of thousands of Australian jobs depend on strong economic growth across our region."

200 people receive COVID-19 vaccine in Santo rollout

The targeted eligible vaccination population of the province is over 33,000.

Among those who were vaccinated were the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Luganville, Marc Ati, and other MPs for Santo and Luganville, President of SANMA Provincial Council, Mayor of Luganville and other heads of government departments and business houses

Fanafo, Port Olry, Avunatari, Isu and Tasmalum Health Centres are some of the temporary vaccination sites that will be set up for a certain period to encourage people living close to these areas to get vaccinated.

Japan offers 3 million vaccine doses at Pacific Islands Summit

Suga’s announcement came as leaders of Japan and Pacific island nations and territories held an online meeting Friday, with Tokyo aiming to promote its “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy” in an apparent effort to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

In the virtual meeting, Japan also pledged assistance to help Pacific countries recover from the coronavirus pandemic by strengthening health care and medical systems, providing economic relief, and improving infrastructure facilities among other measures, according to government officials.

Vanuatu President receives first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

President Moses and his wife the First Lady Estella Moses received their vaccination at the Convention Centre in Port Vila on Wednesday.

More than 8,000 people have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine so far.

The country has received 44,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from COVAX Facility and Sinopharm vaccine from China.

     

Airports Vanuatu staff among the first to receive COVID-19 vaccine

AVL Chief Executive Officer Jason Rakau, AVL Board Directors Letlet August and Bettina Mahieu, Group Head of Air Navigation Services Kevin Abel, Manager Commercial Jorick Sarginson, and frontline staff from Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services (Hamish Malokle and Ben Bule), Aviation Security (Natu Vira) and Customer Services (Lissie Woiviresulu) were part of the first 100 leaders to receive their jab at the National Convention Centre yesterday.

Rakau said he was proud to have been selected in this group of top leaders to be offered the vaccine.