A co-ordinator for the Marshallese community in the US state of Arkansas says they are delighted with the level of take up of Covid-19 vaccines there.
The Marshall Islands consul general in Arkansas, Eldon Alik, estimated 98 percent of the elderly within the Marshallese community have been vaccinated.
This community had been one of the worst hit by Covid-19 with 52 deaths and over 600 infections from a population of less than 15,000.
A glove and mask drive organised by the Marshallese community Photo: Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese
Mr Alik says there are still people falling victim to the virus, including four last week in a single household, though being prioritised for vaccination is helping.
But he says there are still some hesitant Marshallese, "there are still some, we are having campaigns. I go to churches, we have our radio campaign, we have videos, but we are still telling people, but there are still some."
Mr Alik said. "it's just like when Covid started when we were telling people to wear masks for their safety. This is all unfamiliar territory for us."
The Marshall Islands community in Arkansas lives almost exclusively in the northwest of the state, where many of them work in poultry plants.
