The Vanuatu Ministry of Health would like to provide an update to the public on the COVID-19 situation in the country.
In September, the Government of Vanuatu paused inbound international travel in light of the regional and global situation of COVID-19 especially because of the highly transmissible Delta variant.
The Simulation Exercise that was planned for 21-23 October 2021 has been postponed. New dates for the SimEx will be confirmed shortly.
Please note that no widescale lockdown is currently planned. The SimEx will be conducted in selected locations of Port Vila that will include 5 shops, 1 church, 1 school and 3 simulated community isolation centers. Those locations to be included in the SimEx will be advised in advance. No interruptions to interisland transport are anticipated at this stage.
The Ministry of Health had administered the Sinopharm vaccines second dose to 104 people including the honorable Prime Minister Bob Loughman Weibur.
The Prime Minister has been vaccinated three weeks ago with other Government dignitaries and Chinese nationals.
The Ministry of Health is calling on all people aged 18 years and above from the five municipal wards of Port Vila to come forward to the National Convention Centre to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. It is especially important that people who are 35 years and above come for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine but all are welcome
Joanne Mariasua joined the Vanuatu Ministry of Health just over a year ago. Today she is responsible for managing the Surveillance Unit in the Public Health Department.
As COVID-19 spread across the world and started to impact some of the Pacific Island countries in early 2020, Joanne’s role became increasingly important. The Government of Vanuatu prioritised their national response plans in the event the country recorded positive COVID-19 cases.