The first place in the world to be fully vaccinated from COVID-19
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<p>The tiny cluster of islands known as the Republic of Palau is one of the few places on Earth entirely free from COVID-19.</p>
<p>Hoping to maintain that status, it could be one of the first countries to be entirely vaccinated against the deadly disease.</p>
<p>The islands are home to around 18,000 people and received its first shipment of the vaccine on Saturday.</p>
<p>The vaccine has been developed by US pharmaceutical company Moderna, with vaccinations starting the very next day.</p>
<p>Health care workers, key officials and vulnerable groups were among the first to receive the vaccine, with the first shipment including 2,800 doses.</p>
<p>The vaccine will be administered in two shots, 28 days apart.</p>
<p>Palau has not recorded a single COVID-19 case or virus related death, according to the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://covid19.who.int/region/wpro/country/pw" target="_blank"><em>World Health Organisation</em></a>.</p>
<p>The country's Incident Commander of the Ministery of Health Ritter Udui spoke about receiving vaccines from the United States mass COVID-19 vaccination program known as Operation Warp Speed.</p>
<p>The islands are an independent nation but have a free association with Washington.</p>
<p>“We are lucky to be in a position where we have access to vaccines through OWS, and our small size makes it easier for us to roll out the program,” Udui said.</p>
<p>“It’s not compulsory to receive the vaccine, so our goal is to vaccinate about 80 per cent of the population.</p>
<p>“We hope to achieve herd immunity (through the vaccination program).”</p>
<p>Sylvia Osarch, 60, was the first person to receive the vaccination.</p>
<p>“I felt excited to set an example for my community,” she said.</p>
<p>“I want to tell the community that I took the vaccine to protect them.</p>
<p>“So when it is their turn to take it, please take it to protect us, the healthcare providers.”</p>
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