Vaccination count surpasses 30,000

By Soli Wilson 28 May 2021, 11:00AM

More than 30,000 residents have received their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine after a month of outreach in the villages. 

As of Wednesday, May 26 a total of 16,811 males and 13, 685 females were administered with AstraZeneca, bringing the total to 30,496.

The COVID-19 mass vaccination program rollout four weeks ago started with 1,979 front liners after caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi and his Health Minister Faimalotoa Kika Stowers took the jab.

The programme is being rolled out using the map of electoral constituencies; starting in the Vaimauga district, followed by Faleata and now in Sagaga. 

Almost 1000 people were vaccinated on Wednesday alone, across more than ten sites available to the public. 

Those who have received the first dose are required to receive a second shot after 8-12 weeks in order to be fully protected. 

From 24–28 of May between 9am and 6pm, the Districts of Sagaga 1 and Sagaga 2 will be vaccinated. Health officials are administering the vaccine from sites including the Faleula Methodist Hall, the Aele Fou Methodist hall, the Nuu fou A.O.G. hall, the Falelauniu E.F.K.S. hall, the Malie E.F.K.S. hall, Afega Catholic hall and Tuana’i Methodist hall. 

Additional fixed sites are at the Fugalei Market, the Red Cross Headquarters in Tuanaimato, the Health Centre at Matagialalua, the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale on Beach Road, the Ah Liki Bluebird Warehouse in Vaitele-tai, the Samoa National Provident Fund Vaitele and the National Kidney Foundation at Motootua.

Samoa is now using its second batch of 28,000 doses which arrived last week through the COVAX Facility.

The rollout of the second jab will kick start on 14 June, in time for some 27,000 more vaccine doses to be received in early June.

While taking the vaccination is currently voluntary, the N.E.O.C. Interim Chairman Agafili Shem Leo and Health Director General, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri are urging the public to get their shots as neighboring Pacific Island countries continue to struggle with the pandemic. 

On Wednesday, Fiji recorded 13 new cases since the last update on Tuesday evening. All 13 are primary contacts of previously announced cases. 

There are now 121 active cases in isolation. Fiji has recorded 272 cases since the first case was detected in March of last year, with 147 recoveries.

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By Soli Wilson 28 May 2021, 11:00AM

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