KOROR (RNZ Pacific/Pacnews) — Palau is settling into a new normal, and seeing a return of tourists, after it says it achieved herd immunity against Covid-19 among its adult population.
Health authorities in the country say over 80% of the eligible population has been given both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, while the vaccination rollout for adolescents is well underway.
Palau began its vaccination drive in January, aiming for 13,300 adults but had exceeded that target with over 14,300 adults now fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Vaccination of adolescents aged 12-17 years old is now well under way with at least 65 percent having had at least one dose of the vaccine.
The ministry of health’s liaison for the mass vaccination campaign Gaafar Uherbelau said Palauns have been very receptive to getting vaccinated.
“In terms of vaccine hesitancy we haven’t had too many challenges. Unlike our neighbors in the northern Pacific, we’ve been able to pretty much roll out our vaccination campaign without any issues in terms of people wanting to come in for the vaccine.”
Uherbelau, said there had been a steady increase in both arrivals and departures since the easing of travel restrictions towards the end of June.
Uherbelau said prior to June travelers were required to first undergo 14 days of quarantine and testing in Guam before flying to Palau, and then an additional 14 days on arrival.
Now they only need to show proof of vaccination and a return a negative test result for Covid-19 three days before their travel date.
“Since then I think we have seen more travelers coming in,” he explained.
“We do have a lot of U.S. military personnel that are also coming in and out for training and exercises. So the same requirements apply to them as well with the full vaccination status and negative PCR test. But we have definitely seen an increase in commercial airline travelers coming in.”
Meanwhile, 852 adolescents, age 12-17 have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine Pfizer, according to Public Health Director Sher Madraisau.
Estimated number of adolescents age 12-17 is 1,700, according to the Ministry of Health.
Director Madraisau reported that they were working with the Ministry of Education to identify those young adults within this age group and working with their parents and guardians to get them vaccinated.
As of July 30, 2021, 14,475 adults (18 years and above) had received their first dose of Covid vaccine and 14,377 are fully vaccinated.
In another development, Palau in talks with airlines, particularly United Airlines to at least increase their flights to two flights a week. Minister Charles Obichang of tge Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries reported that talks are ongoing on re-opening the Palau-Philippine routes.
Talks as well with Taiwan to re-open the travel bubble talking place. The race is to get over 80% of the population and slowly open up to more travelers.
