The Cook Islands government has approved Covid-19 vaccinations for 12 to 15-year-olds.
In a statement the Prime Minister Mark Brown said they wanted children to be as well protected against the virus as the adult population is.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
"I cannot stress enough how important it is that all our eligible residents make use of this vaccine. It is free. It is effective. It will save lives. It may save your child's life. There is no doubting this fact," Mr Brown said.
There is almost 100 percent vaccination coverage among adults in the Cook Islands.
Mark Brown said one of the considerations for approving youth vaccinations was the increasing evidence around the world that young people are now as likely to contract Covid-19 as any other age group.
Mr Brown said Cook Islands is taking this step now that international health agencies like Medsafe in New Zealand have detemined it is safe to vaccinate 12-15 year olds.
The government aims to start its youth vaccination rollout when more vaccine supplies arrive from New Zealand in October.
Young people on Rarotonga and Aitutaki are being done first to ensure they are protected should the borders open up again shortly. Vaccinating young people in the Pa Enua will follow. It is estimated that there are about 1200 young people aged 12 to 15 in the Cooks.
Meanwhile, about 200 people who didn't get fully vaccinated in the early rollout, appear to have had second thoughts. About 100 now want the vaccine; and a further 103 who had their first vaccine but not the second, would now like to complete the process. These people will also have access to the vaccine in October.
"We are happy that these people have now come forward. The more complete our vaccine programme is, the safer our population, country and families will be, from this virus, which has already infected over 200 million worldwide," says Secretary of Health Bob Williams.
The Cook Islands is one of around ten Covid-19 free countries in the Pacific.