Young people aged 12 and older will soon be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, allowing more Cook Islanders to be protected from the virus.
New Zealand is providing the vaccines and has bought enough supplies of the Pfizer vaccine to cover it’s own population as well as 12 to 15 year olds in the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau; known as ‘the Realm Countries’. It is estimated there are just over 1200 young people in the 12 to 15 years age range in the Cook Islands.
The vaccine is expected to arrive sometime in October and Te Marae Ora will provide details of the actual rollout closer to the time.
Before then though, starting this week, Te Marae Ora is inviting all youth aged 12-15 years old together with their parents/guardians and teachers to consultation meetings.
Last week a letter went to all Principals at schools with students from Year 8 and up. It was intended that this letter be sent home with the students. Te Marae Ora appreciates there might be some students who were not at school on the day or did not get a note to take home.
The first of these meetings is being held today (Monday 27th) at the National Auditorium from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
On Tuesday (28th) at 6pm, the meeting will take place at Nukutere College. The consultation meeting at Tereora College is at 4.30pm Wednesday (29th) ; Titikaveka College, is confirmed for Thursday (30th) at 4.30pm.
The purpose of these meetings is to provide the facts, evidence and clinical reasons behind the government’s decision to offer the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccination to the nation’s 12-15 year old citizens in an attempt to offer a further layer of protection to their health and that of their anau and community.
Te Marae Ora is urging young people to come along to a meeting and to talk to their parents and anau about the possibility of being vaccinated and to consult the Te Marae Ora website for more information – www.health.gov.ck or contact Maryann Pirake by emailing Maryann.pirake@cookislands.gov.ck or calling 29664 during office hours.
ENDS: Media contact; Jaewynn McKay, jaewynn.mckay@cookislands.gov.ck +682 55486