Vaccination count surpasses 32,000

By Soli Wilson 29 May 2021, 7:00PM

More than a thousand individuals received their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday bringing the nation’s total count to 32,399.

The Ministry’s most updated figures were shared on social media on Saturday morning, outlining that men continue to make up most of the vaccination numbers.

Out of the 32,399 individuals who have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, a total of 17,814 are males and 14,585 are females.

The nation is on its second batch of vaccines reviewed through the COVAX Facility two weeks ago after depleting the first 24,000 batch.

Starting Monday, vaccination administration will be in the villages of Sagaga 3 and Sagaga 4. They are, Aleisa Sisifo, Lauvaa Tai, Leauvaa Uta; Levi, Salepoua’e and Nono’a Saleimoa; Utualii and Tufulele.

The sites will not be open on Tuesday; Independence Day public holiday, otherwise it will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Additional fixed sites are at the Fugalei Market, the Red Cross Headquarters in Tuanaimato, 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. 

Saturday’s figures show that the second batch is now fewer than 20,000. 

Another 27,000 is expected to arrive next week or early June in time for the second doses roll out.

The vaccine requires a second shot to be administered 8-12 weeks after the first, in order to ensure full protection against the coronavirus.

The COVAX Facility’s assistance of 79,000 doses to Samoa is expected to cover 20 per cent of the nation’s eligible population.

The National Emergency Operation Centre (N.E.O.C.) continues to urge the eligible public to receive inoculation as neighbouring country, Fiji, continues to battle with outbreaks.

Though Health Director General, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri said they are comforted by the fact that Samoa’s vaccination programme has already started. 

“This is why we should try to get out vaccinations as soon as possible,” he said. 

“It will be the June 14, as we had started in April 1, that most of our eligible population would have received vaccination as well as the begin administering our second dose.

“With the second dose we are ensured to resist this disease, and many of those travelling from overseas have already been vaccinated.”

He assured that the Authorities are not relaxing just because travellers have been vaccinated; saying Samoa still has its precautionary measures of putting them in quarantine up to two weeks, depending on where they travelled from and through.

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Health
By Soli Wilson 29 May 2021, 7:00PM
Samoa Observer

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