Palikir, Pohnpei — At least 73 percent of Kosrae's adolescent population, and 91 percent of the state's eligible adults have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, according to the Federated States of Micronesia government.
The FSM Covid-19 Task Force is looking to replicate this experience across Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei once the ultra-cold storage equipment provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is ready. National health officials will provide training to ensure vaccinations are carried out properly.
A three-person team from CDC recently wrapped up a three-week trip to Kosrae, during which they worked with the state government, the state and national Covid 19 task forces. The team succeeded in vaccinating more than 500 people.
The CDC team led by Dr. Richard Brostrom and Kosrae officials held a virtual meeting with FSM President David W. Panuelo and U.S. Ambassador Carmen G. Cantor to present the results of their recent experience introducing the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to the Kosrae population.
CDC officials credited the visit’s success to the excellent cooperation of Kosrae officials, led by Kosrae Governor Carson K. Sigrah.
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With Kosrae’s large adolescent population in mind, the CDC utilized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to reach a large number of vaccine-eligible school-aged youth.
In partnership with Kosrae and close coordination with the FSM Covid-19 Task Force, the teams held public outreach sessions the night before vaccination clinics at local schools, where the CDC team answered questions and ensured parental consent.
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