Cabinet Discuss Health Report on 10,000 Spoiled Vaccines

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 24 FEBRUARY 2022: Cabinet today considered the Ministry of Health’s report on the 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines reported to have been spoiled or damaged due to a deficiency of the refrigerator they were kept in.

The 10,000 doses of the Australian-manufactured AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine arrived on an Australian Defence Force flight on 01 February donated under the COVAX facility.

The Australian High Commissioner, HE Emily Luck handed over the vaccines to the Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri.

In a press conference today, Fiame could not disclose much detail as Cabinet was yet to receive the Health report.

In previous Covid-19 media briefings, Leausa explained that such vaccines need to be kept in an exact temperature level of 7 to 8 degrees Celsius.

He said for countries such as Samoa with humid hot temperatures, the temperature can be increased but it is vital to maintain the cold chain temperature.

Vaccination status
Meanwhile, Fiame is happy with the current status of the country’s vaccination roll out.

The AstraZeneca first dose has reached 97.5% and the second dose is at 89.5%.

For the Pfizer for the children 12 to 18 years of age, 92.2% (25,801) have had their first dose and 77% (21,479 for the second dose.

With children back in school, Fiame said it would be easier to reach the target when the vaccinations roll out hit the schools again. Vaccinations for 5-11 year olds would start as soon as the vaccines arrive under New Zealand assistance.

For the booster, a total of 4470 people have already had their booster jabs.

Five Covid-19 positive cases remain in isolation
All 26 passengers on the Brisbane flight that tested positive to the delta and omicron variant were released yesterday after being cleared of the viruses.

The only people remaining in isolation are the 5 front liners who are all nurses.

“All are well and asymptomatic but for the safety and security of the country, they remain in isolation where they are monitored before release,” said Fiame.

Also in quarantine for 21 days are 272 passengers on the repatriation flight from New Zealand that arrived 12 February 2022 and all tested negative after 3 tests.