People taking their second dose; MP Terry Coe will take his first dose with the children

The second phase of the vaccine roll-out has begun. Last Thursday the first 32 people took their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and this morning the major roll-out of the second dose started.  Premier Dalton Tagelagi was noticeably missing at the opening of the Fono Ekepule meeting for the second and final reading of the government’s appropriation bill, attending to his appointment at the vaccination centre for his second dose.

Minister of Health Sauni Tongatule informed the Fono Ekepule this morning that 1,184 people took their first dose of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine a few weeks ago and thanked the people and the frontline workers for their commitment to keeping Niue safe.

One of the very few people on the island not to have taken the first dose weeks ago is a veteran politician and Common roll member Hon. Terry Coe. He confirmed to BCN news this week that he has reconsidered his decision not to be vaccinated and will take his first dose when the children 12 to 15 years will be vaccinated.

Terry Coe, who is in his late seventies says that he feels healthy and well and does not believe that he needs to take the vaccine but that he will do it with the children whenever the government decides when that will be.

There are 141 children on the island in this age group, 65 girls and 76 boys. The government have yet to decide on the vaccination of this age group.

Minister Tongatule informed the Fono Ekepule today that the government will complete the second phase of the vaccine rollout before deciding on when the children will take their first dose.