The Marshall islands was the first country in the Pacific region to have access to a COVID-19 vaccine on 29 December 2020.

The Federated States of Micronesia and Palau will be the next to receive a vaccine this month. The vaccine is being shipped to these Pacific Islands territories at the same time vaccination is becoming available in the United States.

When is Tonga going to be able to have access to a COVID-19 vaccine?

The CEO for Tonga Ministry of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said today that because of the enormous cost involved for Tonga to have access vaccines that are currently available, we are counting on the success of the COVAX initiative to deliver vaccines to developing countries..

Some vaccines require very low temperature management, and Siale said that for Tonga to be able to keep the vaccine at 70 degrees below freezing point is a challenge.

Meanwhile, Tonga remains one of only seven Pacific island countries that are still COVID-free. They are: The Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu and Tonga.

Other Pacific Islands countries are also expecting to eventually have access to a vaccine through the global COVAX initiative.

COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO. Its aim is to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world.