Public urged to take the COVID-19 vaccine

NEOC Chairman Agafili Shem Leo and the Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. take Naseri.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 26 APRIL 2021: The extended COVID-19 immunization program for the country starts tomorrow and the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Chairman Agafili Shem Leo is encouraging people to take the vaccine.

This is with the exception of pregnant women, cancer patients, the elderly 85 years and above and children under 18 years of age.

The vaccine is also optional and if one does not want to be vaccinated, then he/she must sign a consent form.

Agafili had already been vaccinated and he said the vaccine is safe despite giving people the option to be vaccinated or not.

To date, almost 2000 front liners and essential workers had been vaccinated. 1319 were male and 660 females with 113 front liners from Savaii. Each had one dose of the vaccine with the second dosage after 8 or 12 weeks.

“I urge you to take the vaccine because you will be safer and protected by the vaccine if the virus does get to Samoa,” he said.

He said if the virus does get into the country and transmitted by a person that signed a consent form to refrain from being vaccinated, we go back to that form and assess the next cause of action.

When asked why the vaccination is not compulsory given the seriousness of the virus, the Health Director General Leausa Dr. Take Naseri said it’s a human right issue.

“In any medical situation, the universal consent is based on the human rights of a person, it is their decision,” said Leausa.

During the measles crisis which claimed 83 lives, the same universal rights were exercised but later became a mandatory issue and everyone was forced to take the measles vaccine when the number of deaths escalated.

The vaccine is useless unless completion of two doses
It is very important that those who have taken the first dose of the vaccine must remember the date on their appointment card for the second dose.

Agafili said after the first dose, each person is given an appointment card for the second dose.

“They have to memorise that date so they could return for the second dose, because if you missed that date then the first dose is useless, and you will have to take the first dose again,” said Agafili.

Compulsory vaccination for repatriation passengers
People currently under quarantine will be vaccinated before they are released to avoid any risk, but for those who have already been vaccinated from the country they were at, they were given 7 day quarantine as a precautionary measure.

Seven of them were released Friday last week, said Leausa.

There will also be travel advice for all travellers for compulsory vaccination before entering the country.

Extended vaccination roll out starts at Vaimauga district
The immunization campaign will start with the Apia urban area which covers Lauli village in the eastern side of Upolu all the way to Leauvaa on the western side.

However, the districts of Vaimauga 1 and 2 will be the focus this week and sites used during the general election will also be utilised for this purpose.

At the sites 2 nurses, a registrar, a data collector, a security officer, a driver, and the Chief Executive Officers (CEO) and Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) of Government ministries will be there as backup.

After Vaimauga1 and 2, then will continue on with Vaimauga 3 and 4 to be followed by other districts with a different team every week to take on other districts.