Covid-19 vaccinations

Samoans rush to get vaccinated

Many were turned away later after the AstraZeneca vaccine supplies ran out.

An estimated 12,000 eligible Samoans have not had their second dose and the sites were opened up on Thursday to try and get them fully vaccinated after 27 positive cases were confirmed.

The government had tried in vain during two national lockdowns last year to get these people vaccinated before the vaccine supplies expired and were forced to send the vaccines to be used in other countries.

Samoa has 27 Covid-19 cases in isolation at quarantine sites.

 

Photo file .

Samoan public urged to prioritise second COVID-19 dose

At a media briefing, Leausa expressed concern about the gap between individuals who have received their first dose and those who are fully vaccinated.

“If we look at the 37,524 who have completed their second doses, its percentage gap from those who have taken their first is huge,” he said.

“We’re not sure if some of them have forgotten or are just late to their second dose appointments.

“Hence, we encourage our people to take your (COVID-19) vaccinations because we have noticed that our second dose is a bit slow.”

Covid-19 vaccination ramped up in Wallis and Futuna

In the past three weeks, 385 people tested positive for the virus and four of them died.

All but ten of the cases were registered on the island of Wallis where nine people are in hospital.

A total of seven patients have been flown to hospital in New Caledonia, including the very first Wallis resident to test positive for the virus.

The detection of Covid-19 in Wallis was followed by the first Covid-19 community cases in New Caledonia a day later, prompting the authorities in Noumea to order an immediate three-week lockdown, which has now been extended to Easter.

Samoan PM encouages vaccinations

The statement comes a day after the Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, announced a vaccination plan with those over the age of 18 to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Speaking on his weekly radio programme Tuila'epa said everyone must be vaccinated for safety ahead of whenever the borders would reopen allowing travelers into the country.

Tuila'epa said the first shipment of 79,000 doses of the vaccine would arrive this weekend with more to come in the next month.

Vaccination programme rolls out in the French territories

The Pfizer vaccine programme began on 20 January and requires two doses with a 21 day interval between jabs.

The programme is funded by Paris and is free but not compulsory.

And French Polynesian health authorities have given the first of a two dose Covid-19 vaccine to 1526 of its most at-risk people.

The vaccination campaign began on 18 January with Phase One focusing on health workers and those over 75 on Tahiti and Mo'orea.

Hospital staff on Ra'iatea and Nuku Hiva are also being inoculated.

They will receive their second jab in February.

Covid-19 vaccination will be required to fly, says Qantas chief

The Australian flag carrier's boss, Alan Joyce, said the move would be "a necessity" when vaccines are available.

"I think that's going to be a common thing talking to my colleagues in other airlines around the globe," he said.

Australia shut down its international borders early in the pandemic and required those returning to quarantine.

The country has more recently relied on lockdowns, widespread testing and aggressive contact tracing to push daily infections nationwide close to zero.