24 Aug 2021

Covid-19 vaccine offered to 12 year-olds and older in Wallis and Futuna

12:31 pm on 24 August 2021

Covid-19 vaccinations in Wallis and Futuna are to be offered to youths aged 12 years and older.

Health authorities have launched an information campaign for the extended roll-out but say those between 12 and 17 need to have parental consent.

The French territory was again declared Covid-free last month after a community outbreak in early March was contained with a two-month lockdown.

Primary schools remained closed for more than three months.

Within weeks more than 400 people caught the virus and seven people died.

A rapid vaccination drive inoculated about half the population by late April, but the other half has declined the offer.

As not to waste vaccines, unused stocks were returned.

The travel bubble with New Caledonia, which was closed in March, will reopen next week with the resumption of regular flights from and to Noumea.

Last October, Wallis and Futuna was the last French-run territory to record a Covid-19 case when an asymptomatic traveller was diagnosed during the mandatory quarantine for arrivals.