HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Certain ethnic groups must stand and be counted in the fight against Covid-19, according to the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services
Data also shows that unvaccinated individuals are at the greatest risk of spreading Covid-19, severe illness and death, said Public Health Director Art San Agustin.
Guam aims to vaccinate at least 80% of its adult population against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, to achieve “population immunity.” Population immunity is the protection a community gains against an infectious disease when a high proportion of the population is immune to the disease, either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection.
This year, 92% of Covid-19 cases and all Covid-19-related deaths were among unvaccinated people on Guam, Public Health stated.
The island’s current vaccination rate has reduced the number of cases and hospitalizations due to Covid-19, but more needs to be done, officials have said.
According to DPHSS vaccination data, Asian groups on Guam have higher vaccination rates.
• 73% of Koreans are vaccinated;
• 72% of Chinese are vaccinated;
• 71% of Filipinos, the second-largest ethnic group on Guam at 29% of the population, are vaccinated; and
• 56% of Japanese are vaccinated.
Pacific Islanders lagged in Covid-19 vaccination, according to Public Health data:
• 43%, or less than half, of CHamoru people are fully vaccinated, but they are the largest ethnic group on Guam;
• 30% of Chuukese are fully vaccinated;
• 64% of Yapese are fully vaccinated;
• 48% of Palauans are fully vaccinated;
• 39% of Pohnpeians are fully vaccinated;
• 41% of Kosraeans are fully vaccinated; and
• 34% of Marshallese are fully vaccinated.
Covid-19 vaccination data as of July 14, 2021, showed that Guam was doing well in vaccinating those who are more than 50 years old. Data also showed the rate of full Covid-19 vaccination in the following age groups:
• 80% of people ages 50-74;
• 72% of those ages 40-49;
• 69% of those over age 75;
• 57% of those ages 30-39;
• 52% of people ages 18-29;
• 39% of youth ages 12-17.
Four new cases of Covid-19 were identified out of 290 tests performed on July 15.
Military service members join the Covid-19 vaccination drive at the A. B. Won Pat International Airport on July 9.
