Palau is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. The country contains approximately 340 islands, and together with parts of the Federated States of Micronesia, forms the western chain of the Caroline Islands.
Politically, Palau is a presidential republic in free association with the United States, which provides defense, funding, and access to social services.
Palau receives its first batch of vaccine
Palau received the first batch of the vaccine developed by US pharmaceutical company Moderna on Saturday. Vaccinations started the next day, Palau’s Ministry of Health announced on Twitter.
The first shipment of the vaccine consisted of 2800 doses. It is to be given in two doses in 28 days.
The Health care workers, key officials, and vulnerable groups will be among the first to receive the vaccine, according to the ministry’s statement.
Not a Single Case reported
Image Courtesy: CNN
According to the World Health Organization, Palau has not reported even a single case of CoronaVirus.
This is also because when the Virus was spreading in huge masses across Asia and The Pacific, Palau was one of the first countries to implement strict border controls.
With the borders locked down totally by march, Palau began testing citizens for the virus by April. These measures were key to keeping Covid-19 out, Palau’s ambassador to the UN said in May. It also gets bonus points for being located in a far-away region of the world.
Operation Warp Speed
An independent nation in free association with Washington, Palau has access to the United States’ mass Covid-19 vaccination program. This program is known as Operation Warp Speed (OWS).
“We are lucky to be in a position where we have access to vaccines through OWS, Our small size makes it easier for us to roll out the program,” Udui said.
“It’s not compulsory to receive the vaccine, so our goal is to vaccinate about 80% of the population. We hope to achieve herd immunity (through the vaccination program).”
Also read: COVID-19 vaccine side effects: Are there any?
