COVID-19: Samoa to get 79,000 AstraZeneca vaccines next month

Samoa is getting 79,000 AstraZeneca vaccines next month.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 24 MARCH 2021: Samoa is getting 79,000 AstraZeneca vaccines next month to protect against the Covid-19 virus.

The Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri told the media last night that Cabinet had approved a vaccination plan once the vaccines arrive.

He said the vaccination roll out plan must be done 5 days after the vaccine arrives. The five day period is for the Ministry to check out and access the vaccine before the roll out plan.

Each person will get two doses of the vaccine and after 12 days of the first dose, the second dose should be ready to be executed. Priority though is given to the front liners.

“A lot of preparation has been done to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for the vaccine and we now await its arrival,” said Leausa.

The UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Simona Marinescu has commended Samoa as one of a few countries that has completed and satisfied all necessary requirements for the vaccine.

Leausa has confirmed that the vaccination is not compulsory.

“No one is forced to take the vaccine should they not want to,” said Leausa. “It will have to be consensual.”

WHO has reassured the safety of the vaccines. There have been cases of people who are afraid to be injection due to some complications such as blood clotting.

However, Leausa said the latest research by WHO assures the world of the safety of these vaccines.

“AstraZeneca is ideal for warm climates and is easy to maintain in a cold chain environment,” he said.

Over 100 nurses and several staff members have been trained as vaccinators.

“If a front liner does not want to be vaccinated, then that person will be removed from being a front liner,” said Leausa.