Kiribati has received its first 24,000 doses of the Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccine via the global covax facility.
Kiribati Covid-19 vaccines arrive 25 May 2021 (L to R) MPs Koraubati Remuera & Betero Ataninora, Dr Wendy Snowden (WHO), Dr Tinte Itinteang (MHMS), David Yardley (Australian HC), Paul Wallis (NZ HC), MP Ioteba Redfern (squatting), Waqairapoa Tikoisuva (UNICEF) & MP Batoromaio Kiritian. Photo: Supplied/Kiribati Government
Upon receiving the vaccines on Tuesday the Kiribati health minister Tinte Itinteang said vaccinations would begin this week.
The rollout is to start in the densely populated South Tarawa districts of Betio and the Teinainano Urban Council which stretches from Bairiki to Tanaea.
Dr Itinteang said they are aiming to fully vaccinate 12,000 people with the current doses with more expected in a month's time.
The country has no community cases of Covid-19 but last week two cases of Covid-19 were identified aboard a Taiwanese fishing carrier anchored in the Tarawa lagoon.
One of the people who tested positive is an i-Kiribati fisherman who was returning home after a year at sea.
The other is a foreigner whose nationality has not been confirmed.
Both men have been told to quarantine aboard the vessel for 14 days.
Earlier this week, the Kiribati government suspended its repatriation programme to deal with the cases.
It also imposed a night-time curfew in South Tarawa and Betio.