Covid-19 vaccination

Tonga received Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination for children from New Zealand on Wednesday.

In a virtual press conference, Tei thanked the Government of New Zealand for their assistance in securing the vaccines for Tonga’s young children who have not been vaccinated so far.

“That is great news to government and the people of Tonga that we now have the vaccine for our children aged 5 to 11 years old. Vaccination rollout will start next week,” Tei stated.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, he said missing competitions, such as the French Open, over his jab status was "the price that I'm willing to pay".

The 20-time Grand Slam winner was deported from Australia last month after the government cancelled his visa in a row over his vaccine status.

Djokovic described the conditions while he was detained as "very hard".

He said he had not spoken out in the media at the time - despite wanting to - as he wanted to respect the legal process and the Australian Open.

For evidence, look no further than the shenanigans surrounding Novak Djokovic and his attempted participation in the Australian Open tennis championships.

Instead of challenging for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne, Serbia's biggest sporting star found himself in the slammer, after immigration officials found fault with his paperwork.

His country's president, Aleksandar Vucic, led the chorus of outrage in Belgrade, following a phone call with the incarcerated ace.

The player arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday where authorities noticed a mistake on his application.

Djokovic was due to play in the Australian Open, after being exempted from vaccination rules.

He will be flown out of the country later on Thursday but his lawyers will challenge the decision, Australian media report.

Photo file  Caption: :World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic     

Ninety-five percent of the population has received the first dose.

Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said, “Of 12-17 years old, 96% have had first doses and 60% full vaccination.”

“So overall, of the above 12-years-old, 96% have had first doses and 71% full vaccination.”

The eligible population (76,911) includes 63,128 aged 18 years and over, and 13,783 aged 12-17-years.

The Ministry of Health aims to fully vaccinate 70% of Tonga's total population of 105,924.

The directive was announced by New Zealand Rugby today.

Under the Government and Sport New Zealand's Covid-19 Protection Framework, gatherings in the Red traffic light setting which do not use Covid-19 Vaccination Certificates are limited to 25 people.

In the Red setting, 15-a-side rugby competitions would be unable to proceed without the use of Covid vaccination certificates due to the restriction on numbers.

The Ministry of Health has stressed that the current stock of AstraZeneca vaccines expire at the end of today.

MOH Chief Executive Officer, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said, “At the same time, those who have had first doses and are due for their second dose anytime in December 2021, can also come before the end of 13 December 2021 to have their second doses too.”

“Lastly, we also encourage those who are overdue to get their second doses to come too.”

According to the ministry, “only a few thousand doses of AstraZeneca” gifted by Australia are remaining.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said yesterday he expected advice from Medsafe in a couple of weeks and the rollout should start in late January.

But some are urging officials to move faster as a number of schools shut down for days because of infected students or staff.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said while there were no plans at this stage to bring the timeframe forward, it was still under advice.

The Ministry of Health confirmed Monday that 73,295 (95 percent) have received their first doses of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine as at 29 November.

The vaccines are for the eligible population aged 12 and above.

Numbers for fully inoculated people will continue to increase with the roll out of second doses of the Pfizer vaccine currently underway for 12 – 17 year olds in schools.

The announcement has come in the final hours of Tonga's seven day lockdown following it's first covid scare.

The Vaccination Act Amendment 2021 has been signed by King Tupou the Sixth making it compulsory by law to get vaccinated.

Tonga's Ministry of Health said it would only exercise this new power if there's the risk of an infectious disease spreading out of control.

Tongatapu has just finished a seven day lockdown after a passenger arriving from Christchurch tested positive becoming the Kingdom's first covid case.