More than 84,000 people in Samoa have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine as of 18 August.

The latest data released by the Ministry of Health on Thursday has revealed that 84,981 people have received the first dose which accounts to 70 per cent of the eligible population. Of this total, 45,078 are male while 39,903 were female.

However, 35,668 Samoans have been fully vaccinated which represents 29.3 per cent of the eligible population with 19,120 male and 16,548 female.

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has emphasized the significance of the Samoan people to be vaccinated in order to protect us against the COVID-19 virus.

“The aim by the Ministry is to vaccinate 130,000 people from the total population of 200,000.” she said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Fiame explained that the 130, 000 people represent the eligible population to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Samoa.

And from this total, those not counted are at the age of 18 and below, plus pregnant women.

She also said that there is a plan to vaccinate those aged 18 and below with a special vaccine which depends on its availability. 

“So far, there is good progress being made through the vaccination programme.” 

Furthermore, Prime Minister Fiame mentioned that the door to door vaccination campaign is similar to the one conducted during the measles epidemic which targets people at their homes.

She also urged Samoans to use this opportunity to get vaccinated because the vaccines are free and it is a gift from partners with the hope to ensure our people’s safety.

“Use this chance to protect yourselves and especially your families.”

Last week, the Health Ministry started a “Door to Door Mass Vaccination Campaign” for Upolu and Savaii in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

The public is hereby advised to tie a red cloth/flag in front of their homes and near the roads to indicate that family members have not been vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine. 

The red flag/cloth will make it easy for the vaccinating teams to identify households for vaccinations.

The mass rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the nation’s villages began in late April. 

While Samoa remains COVID-19 free and its State of Emergency orders have relaxed, the National Emergency Operation Centre and the Ministry of Health continue to urge people to get their immunisation and noting that neighbouring islands in the region continue to battle local outbreaks of the virus.