As Vanuatu prepares to reopen from July,  Australian doctors are spearheading a drive to have residents on the country’s remote islands vaccinated against COVID-19, on board a refitted cruise ship.

Emergency specialist Dr Ian Norton, founder of Australian social enterprise Respond Global, is working with Vanuatu ministry officials to deliver the rollout, with private funding from a philanthropist. 

The return of international tourists on 1 July  is generally seen as positive but there is concern over the pace of the vaccine rollout within the country.

“They’re worried they haven’t had a chance to vaccinate everybody, particularly in those outer islands,” Dr Norton said.