Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health has completed its Covid-19 national vaccination programme, with 96.7 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

From an eligible population of 11,409, 11,040 Cook Islands residents are now fully vacinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. The number represents over 96 per cent of the eligible adult population (16 years and over).

Palmerston was the last island to receive its second dose of vaccination late last week.

Secretary of Health Bob Williams said: “Our statistics as far as vaccinations go are welcome news for Te Marae Ora ... its an outstanding achievement. Meitaki maata to the people of the Cook Islands.”

Minister of Health Vainetutai Rose Toki Brown said: “I’m really pleased with the turn out of people who have come forward to be vaccinated. Doing so is not only providing a shield for yourself from serious illness or death; but also your family, friends, our vulnerable people and our country.”

“I also want to thank everyone who came forward, for acting so responsibly. I particularly want to thank our staff and volunteers, the Cook Islands Maritime Police, the New Zealand Navy, Air Rarotonga, MFEM, MFAI, Cook Islands Red Cross, the Mayors and Island Councils from the Pa Enua, Crown Law, Cook Islands Tourism and the Cook Islands Child Welfare Association. Each of these organisations and government ministries has helped Te Marae Ora carry out this massive task which places us amongst the most vaccinated nations on earth; and further reinforces our Covid-free status. In particular our thanks are also extended to the New Zealand government for allowing us access to the Pfizer vaccine.”

Prime Minister Mark Brown in his fortnightly Cook Islands News column said the government will look at approving the Pfizer vaccine for use in 12-15 year olds.

“Our TMO team is working on the logistics of this operation right now.”