Covid-19 vaccination

Health authorities have confirmed that this eligible age group will be the Ministry of Health’s next focus. 

Deputy-Director General of Public Health, Tagaloa Dr. Robert Thomsen said, “All the vaccines that the Ministry currently has in its possession will expire by November 30, “and we should be able to use up all these vaccines before that.”

“And even if we have vaccinated everyone in the country there will be a surplus of vaccines,” he said during a Samoa Maloloina programme.”

The Ministry of Health organised the vaccination drive for students between the ages of 15 to 17.

The roll out for students began on Monday.

Permanent Secretary, Doctor James Fong said they are overwhelmed with the turnout as they continue to track vaccine coverage rate.

The second jab will be administered at an interval of 28 days.

Around 7000 doses of AstraZeneca were administered on Thursday as part of the two-day roll out.

Despite the strict lockdown, from 8am to 6pm, it is not compulsory to get vaccinated. Those willing to have the jab have been instructed to place red flags at the entrance to their dwellings.

Our correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia said he saw a lot of people getting into the spirit of things.

on half-pay from the 31st of October.

This was announced by the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare this week and will apply to any employee of the national or provincial governments as well as state owned enterprises.

Mr Sogavare said if by 1 January 2022 they still have not taken up the vaccine their employment will be terminated.

It is the strongest messaging yet to come from the government with so far only 6.4 percent of the eligible population full vaccinated against the virus.

Two districts in the Yasawas, west of the country, have sought help for households in isolation that have no access to basic food supply.

Tourist hotspots Naviti and Nacula are both experiencing an increase in Covid-19 cases, are seeking assistance for households in isolation that have no access to basic food supply.

The Government confirmed a total of 121 new cases and nine deaths in the last 24 hours.

This takes the total of cases to 12,948, with the death toll at 575.

The expiry date for its stock of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is fast approaching and people are still dragging their feet on getting vaccinated.

The Ministry of Health is instructing people to stay home on Thursday and Friday as its roving teams vaccinate every eligible person in each household.

As of Friday, over 99,000 people or 84.4 per cent of the eligible population had received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, while just over 50,000 had received both doses, according to Ministry of Health data.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services said children in this age bracket were being vaccinated first as these children were mostly in secondary school and some of them are nearing the end of their secondary education.

The ministry's advisory said that children will need to receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine which is administered at a dose interval of 28 days.

Parents and guardians will be asked to sign a consent form for children receiving this vaccine.

The Ministry of Health said the last day to receive the first jab is 24 September.

The ministry is advising the public to ensure they get their first dose as soon as possible.

It also said that despite records showing 81 per cent of the eligible population received the first dose; more than 20,000 people have not been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Those who are eligible are advised to seek the nearest hospital or the vaccination teams going around villages.

In a statement, Judge Deborah Marshall said she had been aware of "ongoing speculation" about the cause of death surrounding the teenager.

"Based on the information available to date, it does not appear that the death in question is linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine," she said.

"However, this issue will be investigated carefully by the coroner and pertinent information will be requested from various agencies, including the COVID-19 Vaccination Independent Safety Monitoring Board."

The Ministry of Health confirmed the figure stands at 94.5 per cent.

More than 80 per cent of the eligible population in Vaisigano No. 2, Faasaleleaga No. 3, Lepa, Alataua Sisifo, Gagaifomauga No. 1 and Aleipata-Itu-i-Luga have received the first dose.

A total of 96,865 individuals nationwide composing of 50,579 males and 46,286 females have received the first jab and that represents 79.5 per cent of the eligible population according to the ministry.