Samoa is preparing to receive a total of 5000 COVID-19 vaccine doses for its frontline workers, the Minister of Health, Faimalotoa Kika Stowers confirmed.

Faimalo made the announcement in Parliament on Friday morning saying only 2500 individuals will be vaccinated in the first rolling out of the vaccination programme. 

“We are one of the earliest countries to get on the list and so maybe by the end of this month or beginning of March we will be getting the first 5000 vaccine doses,” she said. 

“There are two doses for one person; so 2,500 people will be vaccinated.

“The first doses will be given to our frontliners, those who are protecting our country at this moment, as well as the medical officers and the elderly with health issues that make them especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

"Then we wait for the next order of vaccines." 

The Health Minister was responding to Anoama'a West M.P., Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo who commended the prevention efforts of the Health sector in keeping Samoa safe. 

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi confirmed that the Government is closely observing the possible side effects of vaccines ahead of their projected arrival. 

He said social distancing restrictions could be expected to continue “for some time” even after the vaccination is rolled out. 

“We are starting to discuss how the vaccines are to be divvied and dispersed, especially as there are 235 types of different vaccines currently available by each country who are conducting their own research,” he said. 

“And there is a huge process that goes into choosing [a vaccine], as there is a certain one where it must be kept cool, up to 70 degrees below zero, with another which only requires a temperature of two to eight degrees [celsius], and that’s the one suitable to our temperatures.

“Other countries in the Pacific have started their vaccination programmes, and they are mostly those who are under the administration of America and France. 

“And then there are countries, including us, who are closely observing side effects.” 

Last month, United Nations' Resident Coordinator, Dr. Simona Marinescu, confirmed that Samoa’s plan to roll out the first batch of coronavirus vaccines has been approved by the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (C.O.V.A.X.), which is preparing to send over about 50,000 vaccine doses to the country.  

Samoa’s target is to vaccinate 60 per cent of the population, and will not be moving to immediately vaccinate those under 18 years of age, who make up approximately 30 per cent of the population (according to census data).