Photo: RNZ / Logan Church
Pacific countries are being urged not to neglect routine health services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the World Health Organisation, four Pacific Island countries are dealing with coronavirus outbreaks while 15 remain Covid-free.
The United Nations Children's Fund has commended Pacific countries management of the virus so far but it is warning governments not to let their guard down.
The fund's Pacific representative Sheldon Yett said maintaining health services for children was particularly important with recent data showing a decline in child vaccination coverage across the region.
"Sometimes it is easy to look at the storm clouds that are on the horizon and lose sight of some of the other things that are affecting the health and welfare of children," he said.
"We need to do both and it is really essential to ensure that routine services also continue as we keep our eye on preventing an outbreak of Covid in this region."
