Martha Taumata Faavae
The Minsitry of Health is taking extra care with the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out of the Oxford-AztraZeneca.
This is the reassurance from the Chief Executive Officer CEO of the Ministry of Health Leausa Dr Take Naseri in a press conference last week.
“It is important to take precaution because the vaccine is newly introduced and COVID-19 is also a new disease the world is not familiar with it,” Leausa pointed out.
He reassured that the vaccine is safe and proof of this is no reported adverse cases in Fiji and other Pacific countries- Tuvalu, Tonga and the Solomon in which Astra Zeneca has been administered.
The procedure before people get an arm jab is that they must give consent by signing a form and after being given the shot they must rest for 15 minutes or 30 minutes in case of any reactions. Going out or drinking alcohol or doing any hard physical activity or being out in the sun should not be undertaken at all Leausa stated. This would help the body to fully recover he added.
Reactions to the vaccine would be feeling feverish and it is advised to take a panadol and if it persists a visit to the hospital is recommended.
Samoa’s vaccination programme commenced last Sunday with the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and the Minister of Health Faimalotoa Kika Stowers.
Priority is given to the frontline and essential workers including the Police, Samoa Water Authority, Electric Power Corporation, those working on the wharves and airport.
Among those who received the Aztra Zeneca vaccine last week was the lady captain of the Lady Naomi vessel which sails between Samoa and Pagopago American Samoa every Wednesday. Captain Ilalegagana Kenesareta Moananu told Newsline she embraces the vaccination programme for the vaccine protects her and all those who work on the Lady Naomi.
“ We sail to Pagopago every week. The vaccine offers us re-assuring protection,” Moananu said.
She also added that after they received their jabs they took all the precautions the Ministry of Health offered.
“ We experienced dizziness and felt feverish and we did what they told us to do. I feel 100 percent fine.”
Moananu said being vaccinated gives her protection and she would like her family members feel the same.
Samoa received an initial patch of 24,000 doses and 50,000 more are expected in May.
With the vaccination of the frontline and essential workers next in line are those in the Apia Urban Area and North West Upolu. In Savaii it will start with Fa’asaleleaga.
The eligible number of people to be vaccinated in Samoa is 130,000. The programme targets those 18 years and over.
Not everyone will be vaccinated. Those excluded include pregnant women, women breastfeeding their babies, cancer patients and bedridden elderly people.
Almost 2000 people have already been vaccinated.