FSM Information Services
Press Release
57% of FSM Adults Fully Vaccinated; FDA-Approved Pfizer Vaccine Arrives in FSM, Suitable for Adolescents; Multiple Repatriation Flights Scheduled for August, September
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—As of August 24th, 2021, approximately 57% of the adult population of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While historically the two COVID-19 vaccines available in the FSM were the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, the Nation has recently received the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine, which carries full U.S. Food & Drug Administration (US FDA) approval and is suitable for vaccinating adolescents aged between 12 to 17 years old. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, which are equally safe and effective, are presently being used under an Emergency Use Authorization. The FSM National Government expects the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to receive full US FDA approval in the coming weeks.
The State of Kosrae, with assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (US CDC) has already begun vaccination efforts targeting adolescents aged between 12 to 17 years of age. It is the intent of the FSM National Government to expand vaccination access for citizens in this age range in the coming weeks in the States of Yap, Chuuk, and Pohnpei.
57% (approximately 33,400 adults) are fully vaccinated in the FSM. An additional 5,287 adults have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and are awaiting their second dose.
For the State of Yap, 77% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.
For the State of Chuuk, 50.5% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.
For the State of Pohnpei, 56.8% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.
For the State of Kosrae, 67.2% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.
The mandate for all FSM citizens residing in the FSM to be vaccinated remains in effect. Citizens abroad wishing to return to the FSM remain mandated to possess documentary evidence of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The State of Yap recently repatriated approximately 18 persons from the Republic of Palau on August 18th, 2021. The repatriating citizens were fully vaccinated and tested negative for COVID-19 prior to and upon arrival in Yap, and at the time of this release remain in Yap State’s quarantine facilities, inclusive of additional COVID-19 testing. There is another repatriation flight to Yap State, originating from the U.S. Territory of Guam, scheduled for August 29th, 2021.
The State of Kosrae recently repatriated 20 persons from the U.S. Territory of Guam on August 23rd, 2021. The repatriating citizens were fully vaccinated and tested negative for COVID-19 prior to and upon arrival in Kosrae, and at the time of this release remain in Kosrae State’s quarantine facilities, inclusive of additional COVID-19 testing.
The State of Pohnpei intends to repatriate approximately 69 persons from the U.S. Territory of Guam on August 26th, 2021, which was originally scheduled to occur on August 23rd, 2021. The cause for the temporary delay was to allow National and State medical officials the necessary time and resources to ensure the continued safety of Nation-wide repatriation efforts. There is another repatriation flight to Pohnpei State scheduled for September 16th, 2021.
Additionally, September 30th, 2021, is scheduled for the arrival of essential workers, such as engineers, health professionals, and educators.
The FSM National Government is not able to publicly commit to a date to begin repatriation flights to the State of Chuuk in this release, but expects to be able to make such an announcement in the coming weeks and months.
