VACCINE ROLLOUT TO CONTINUE : THANKS AUSTRALIA

2 February 2022:Yesterday the Ministry of Health accepted delivery of a further 10,000 doses of the Australian manufactured AstraZeneca Covid 19 vaccine.

The vaccine was brought to Samoa by the Australian Defense Force on a flight to Faleolo. Overseeing the contactless delivery was the Australian High Commissioner HE Emily Luck.

So far Australia has shared more than 60,000 doses if the Covid vaccine as well as some AUD$130 million invested to the COVAX facility.

The High Commissioner pointed out that Australia has also recently delivered testing equipment, 50 oxygen concentrators and over 3,500kg of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and consumables.

She went in to say “The PPE in particular will help keep Samoa’s frontline workers safe – we thank them for their service"

The delivery of vaccines yesterday was very timely. Both the TTM Hospital and the Tuasivi Hospital in Savaii reported they had run out of supplies of vaccine. People were turned away from both hospital sites after available stocks of the vaccine had been used. This follows a surge of people seeking their first or second dose of vaccine in the wake of the recent outbreak of Covid among returning passengers and frontline staff, all of whom remain in quarrantine.

The Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa expressed her appreciation for the ongoing support from Australia and the timely delivery of much needed vaccines.

Fiame said "Samoa shares a close partnership with Australia, and we are grateful for these vaccines at this critical time as we feel the impacts of this global pandemic."

On Tuesday evening the Prime Minister again gave reassurances that there is no evidence of any community transmission of the virus following the repatriation flight and also the more recent breach of the State of Emergency orders by NEOC and MOH staff.

It is understood that the MOH priority for vaccination are members if the public eligible for their first and second dose as well as school aged children. There remains ongoing concern by members of the public seeking, but being denied their booster shot.

Eyespy Media will follow up with the MOH on the current rates if vaccination within the population.