More than 12,000 people who have had their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine are yet to get their second dose in order to be fully vaccinated. 

The latest data on the country's vaccination coverage was released by the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) and showed that 96 per cent or 117,020 of the eligible population got their first shot of the vaccine just before the Christmas holiday kicked in. 

In terms of those who are fully vaccinated, a total of 86 per cent or 104,827 have received both doses of the vaccine, which is well short of the Government's target to get more than 90 per cent of the eligible population fully immunised. 

M.O.H. data on the Pfizer vaccine shows a total of 6,817 members of the eligible population are yet to be fully vaccinated. 

According to the Ministry, the eligible population for Pfizer includes children between 12-17 years of age as well as pregnant and lactating mothers. 

Only 24,794 received the first shot of the Pfizer vaccine with some 17,887 getting both Pfizer doses to complete their vaccination.

Meanwhile, the M.O.H. has not released any further information on the status of the passenger who tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Samoa in early December. 

The male passenger is the second person to have tested positive for the virus while in managed isolation quarantine. 

The National Emergency Operation Centre (N.E.O.C.) previously told the media that the passenger tested negative for the COVID-19 upon arrival but presented a positive test result three days later while in quarantine. 

The passenger travelled into Samoa on an incoming flight on 9 December 2021 from Fiji and was among 134 passengers on board the flight. 

The N.E.O.C. Chairman, Agafili Shem Leo said the man presented a negative test result prior to boarding the flight. The authority has not disclosed whether the strain was omicron or delta. 

The Government has previously discussed the possibility of reopening the borders after Samoa's eligible population reaches more than 90 per cent full vaccination. 

The Samoa Tourism Authority has remained hopeful for the borders opening after being in lockdown for two years.