USP will have ‘No Jab, No School’ policy
The University of the South Pacific (USP) has adopted a ‘No Jab, No School’ policy across the region for 2022. Manager of Public Relations and Communications under the Office of the Vice Chancellor and President of
COVAX: A lost opportunity
By Dan McGarry COVAX could have provided nations with a rallying point to promote international unity and cooperation. It could have put developing countries on even ground with the most advanced nations. It’s parent
Five-year timeline to vaccinate
By Kevin McQuillan New modelling has revealed that Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea will have vaccinated less than 20% of their adult populations by the end of this year and it could take five years to
COVID-19 cases in Papua New Guinea: the silent dead
Although only 65,000 suspect COVID-19 cases have been reported in Papua New Guinea over the last year, PNG’s own administrative health data show 2.6 million cases of flu- and pneumonia-like symptoms over the same
Wish you were here: Pacific islands travel destinations inch towards reopening
Just a few months ago, whether travellers to the Pacific would need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was still a matter of debate. But that discussion has moved as quickly as the Delta variant, and it now seems fait
No progress on Fiji bubble until COVID is controlled: Australia
Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific says Australia will want to see COVID cases under control in Fiji before any commitment can be made on a travel bubble. When Fiji’s Minister for
Mixed response to Fiji’s ‘no jab, no job’ order
The Fiji government’s direction that all civil servants and private sector employees receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by August 1st has met with a mixed reaction. Last week Prime Minister Voreqe
PS looks to 80% vaccination rate before lifting of restrictions
Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Health says he’s looking at an 80% vaccination rate before restrictions on movement, gatherings and workplaces can be further relaxed. Currently 230,000 people have received their
