January 29, 2025

Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health is planning to conclude its whooping cough vaccination (Boostrix/Tdap) programme for 11-year-olds and over 65 on Friday, January 31.

The vaccination drive is being held at the Tupapa Health Administration Block from 9am to 2pm.

Boostrix (Tdap) vaccine boosts immunity against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

Pertussis is also known as whooping cough is a respiratory illness caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis and it is very contagious.

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Cook Islands is one of the 13 countries in the Western Pacific region that has eliminated lymphatic filariasis.

The other countries are Cambodia, China, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Niue, the Marshall Islands, Palau, the Republic of Korea, Tonga, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, and Wallis and Futuna, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced.

According to WHO, Cook Islands, Cambodia, Niue and Vanuatu eliminated lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, in 2016.

Former Cook Islands prime minister, the late Dr Joe Williams, was honoured in 2016 with the World Health Organization (WHO) Award of Appreciation in recognition of his contribution towards the elimination of the tropical disease lymphatic filariasis

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Te Marea Ora Ministry of Health has awarded staff members for their excellence and upholding the Ministry values.

Last week, the Ministry announced the third and fourth cycle of award winners, with public health nurse and midwife at Aitutaki Hospital, Tohoa Cummings, receiving the employee of the month.

The third cycle winners were; Perfectly Present Award - Daniel Thompson, Style Maven Award - Tiaia Taime, The Guardian Award - TeKaute Manuel, Employee of the Month - Tohoa Cumming, The Supportive Spirit - Ligipati Dowling and Harmonious Team Spirit Award - Team Health Intelligence Unit.

The fourth cycle individual awards were given to: Versatility Award - Ngatokorua Tuteru, The Lengthiest Message Award - Paul Ongoua, The Guardian Award - Dr Evangeline Wong, The Supportive Spirit Award - Pa Tauakume, The Inspirer Award - Edward Watson, Rookie of the Year - Daniel Thompson, Celebration Award - Team Health Protection, Best Team Award - Team Health Intelligence Unit, and Harmonious Team Spirit Award - Public Health Directorate.