In an earnest bid to protect their community, 100 per cent of the eligible population on Kia Island in Macuata have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Islanders from the three villagers got their first jab of COVID 19 vaccine early July and will receive the second dose next month.

“We took the step into getting our eligible population vaccinated to protect our loved ones,” Kia Village headman, Kemueli Lautiki said.

“Our nurse conducted awareness programmes in all three villages, and this reduced our anxiety as we were reluctant to be vaccinated at first. After the awareness there was a good turn out from all the three villages led by Yaro with 68 adults, Ligau Village with 54 and Daku Village with 40 individuals who received their first jab.”

Mr Lautiki said they were thankful that the vaccination team came to their doorstep and saved the trouble for villagers travelling to the mainland to access the vaccine.

He added that being vaccinated meant a lot to them as they continue to rebuild their home island after Tropical Cyclone Yasa hit on December 17, 2020.

“While the TC Yasa may have not taken any lives, we’re unsure of what the pandemic might and can do to our island homes,” he said.

“This is in the best interest of our people to get vaccinated and protect the vulnerable members of our society. We’re a small island and if one person gets infected then it will surely spread fast to the rest of the population.

“This is the way forward for us as we’re still trying to rebuild some homes and our church that was destroyed during TC Yasa.”

Mr Lautiki said it was better to be safe than sorry when it comes to choosing between getting vaccinated and otherwise.

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