Palau is aiming to vaccinate children between ages 12 to 17, according to the health ministry.
Sherilynn Madraisau, the Director of Palau's Public Health, told reporters that they are awaiting their allocation from the United States CDC, which they are hoping to receive later this year.
US Health officials administer the Johnson & Johson vaccine in Kayangel State Photo: Task Force Oceania Public Affairs - SGT Navarro/ US Embassy
"Most likely we will receive our allocation in December," she said.
She said that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children had been approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) adding that Palau would most likely administer Moderna vaccines to the younger population when it gets approval for use.
According to the Ministry of Health as of May 19, there are 11,175 fully vaccinated individuals or 84 percent of the adult population, on the weekend, it is expected that the vaccinated numbers will increase as more people complete the second dose.
Thousands of residents over 18 years old have received two doses of the Moderna vaccine or the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Madraisau said the aim is to "vaccinate as many people as we want. "
And that includes children, she added.
President Surangel Whipps Jr has his hopes pinned on the swift vaccination rate in Palau.
Effective May 22, Palau is welcoming vaccinated travelers into the country.
Public Health Directive 13-21, provides new protocols for travelers coming to Palau The directive said all travelers entering Palau from High-Risk COVID-19 areas must have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departure and the vaccine must be FDA or WHO approved for Emergency Use Authorization.
These travellers are required to also undergo a 14-day period of self-restricted movement and submit negative test results of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within 72 hours before departure.
