No Urgency in Rolling out the COVID-19 Vaccine

Representatives of the Donor countries & organisations and Samoan government representatives at yesterdays launch.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 13 APRIL 2021:  The long awaited COVID-19 vaccine arrived last Friday and was scheduled to be rolled out at least 3 to 5 days after, however there has been a delay in executing that plan.

Of all the Pacific islands who have received their vaccines, Samoa has the largest number of vaccine with 79,000 and 24,000 have already arrived.

The Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri told a press conference yesterday that there was no urgency in rolling out the vaccines as Samoa does not have a COVID-19 case.

The concern however is the time frame between the end of rolling out the vaccines and the arrival of the next batch of vaccines.

The other concern is the alleged effect of the vaccines on some people in Germany, Great Britain and Australia.

“These pre-mixed vaccines came from the COVAX Facility in Germany and we need time to ensure the vaccines are good, that we have the right amount of 24,000 checked if it’s gold chain, is intact and then roll it out on a timely basis to coincide with the arrival of the next lot next month,” said Leausa.

He said some of the issues raised have prompted some countries to change the age for those receiving the vaccine.

In Germany, vaccination starts from the age of 30 whereas its 50 upwards for Australia.

Samoa optional
For Samoa, the vaccination is optional from age 18 while pregnant women, cancer patients and those who are allergic to vaccines and the bedridden will be exempted.

A box of the vaccines for the Samoa vaccination programme.

Vaccine roll out program
The vaccination team will be out in the field to execute the vaccination plan next week.

Up first will be the front-liners at Faleolo airport and the Matautu wharf and all the other front-line workers.

All 10 district hospitals will be utilized for the vaccination program.

“Due to the high number of Vaitele and Apia zone residents, the health division has secured 60 to 80 teams to cover these areas, and we are looking at securing a fixed sites to conduct the vaccination program,” said Leausa.

On the day of the vaccination, there will be information sharing then a written consent before presenting an identification card for eligibility verification.

The vaccine is then administered on the person who will have to wait around for 30 minutes after being vaccinated to see if there is any impact on the person.

UN eager to see outcome of vaccination program
The United Nations under the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nation International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) played a major role in securing vaccines for all countries.

Speaking to Talamua last week, the United Nation Resident Coordinator, Ms. Simona Marinescu was excited to see the country getting ready for vaccination.

Although the UN was not invited to the launch of the vaccine yesterday, Ms. Simona said Samoa completed all requirements ahead of time and with the second vaccine batch leaving the manufacturers in late April and Samoa should get their second shipment of vaccines by early next month.

She acknowledged the donor countries who stepped in to assist Samoa with the vaccine and she looks forward to see how the people feel about it.

Yesterday’s launch was attended by the caretaker Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi and representatives of the donor countries.

Repatriation flights
On the 26 April a repatriation flight from the US via Nadi, Fiji will bring in returning Samoans.

There is also flight scheduled for this Friday from New Zealand bringing in more Samoans whose visa extensions have expired.