By Staff Writer
There is growing confidence in the COVID-19 vaccination roll out that the 98 percent herd immunity target is within reach after the 2-day mass vaccination lockdown last Thursday and Friday.
The public response assured the Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri that the roll out is on its way to meeting its intended goal.
“ Great effort and support from the communities all over the island,” Leausa reacted happily at the end of last week’s mass vaccination run.
The main focus was on the first dose with a total close to 115,000 or just over 94 per cent of the 127 eligible population covered.
Males made up the most number with close to 60,000 vaccinated followed behind by the females.
“ A significant proportion of our population especially in Apia urban received their first dose,” the Director General of Health noted.
“The 94 per cent completion result is an indication there is a good chance our target with the second dose to complete the full run will be achieved.”
The added urgency for the roll out last week was the expiration date for the doses with enough in stock to cover the whole country since it arrived last April.
Vaccination teams were organised in selected areas of the main islands in Upolu and Savaii with staff drawn from all the Government Ministries to assist the health staff.
“We will continue with our vaccination roll out in the fixed sites that will remain open and our mobile team will continue to be on the move as usual.”
Apia became a ghost town during the two days of vaccination with everything closed down from 8.00am in the morning to 6.00pm in the evening.
The undertaking followed the same process for the measles epidemic in 2019 with families asked to hang out red flags at home to guide the teams to those yet to receive their dose.
The main focus now will be on the second dose where just over 47 percent of the eligible population have received their injections.
The clock ticks on the stock in hand with an expiration deadline towards the end of November.
Those eligible for the two-dose vaccine are from 18 years and up but another age group is being targetted sometime in October.
This is a younger population group from 12-17 years old who will receive the Pfizer vaccine.
Samoa has a current population of 200,000 but it is not clear what fraction is made up of this younger group being lined up for the new vaccine.