Covid-19 vaccination

According to Matangi Tonga, the ministry is in a race against time to inoculate 13,738 teenagers with the Pfizer vaccine before the doses it has in stock expire in 28 days time.

At least 1,097 people aged 12-17 years old have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine since it arrived last week.

The vaccine roll-out continues to secondary and middle schools on Tongatapu this week.

Meanwhile, a vaccination team will travel to 'Eua on Wednesday to start vaccination at schools there, before going to other islands groups next week.

Irving, has been staunch against getting vaccinated, despite a New York City order requiring the shot if he is to play or practice with the team at home this season.

"Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant," Marks said.

Videos that say approved vaccines are dangerous and cause autism, cancer or infertility are among those that will be taken down, the company said.

The policy includes the termination of accounts of anti-vaccine influencers.

Tech giants have been criticised for not doing more to counter false health information on their sites.

In July, US President Joe Biden said social media platforms were largely responsible for people's scepticism in getting vaccinated by spreading misinformation, and appealed for them to address the issue.

The Ministry of Health organised the vaccination drive for students between the ages of 15 to 17.

The roll out for students began on Monday.

Permanent Secretary, Doctor James Fong said they are overwhelmed with the turnout as they continue to track vaccine coverage rate.

The second jab will be administered at an interval of 28 days.

The Minister of Health Minister Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu confirmed the roll out date yesterday.

The ministry said 836 people are targeted to be vaccinated on the remote northern islands of Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu.

Throughout Tonga, vaccinations are  ongoing for people 18-years-old and above.

According to the ministry, 1,233 people who received their first dose are yet to come forward to get their second jab.

The age group 18 – 29 years has the lowest rate of vaccination so far.

on half-pay from the 31st of October.

This was announced by the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare this week and will apply to any employee of the national or provincial governments as well as state owned enterprises.

Mr Sogavare said if by 1 January 2022 they still have not taken up the vaccine their employment will be terminated.

It is the strongest messaging yet to come from the government with so far only 6.4 percent of the eligible population full vaccinated against the virus.

Two districts in the Yasawas, west of the country, have sought help for households in isolation that have no access to basic food supply.

Tourist hotspots Naviti and Nacula are both experiencing an increase in Covid-19 cases, are seeking assistance for households in isolation that have no access to basic food supply.

The Government confirmed a total of 121 new cases and nine deaths in the last 24 hours.

This takes the total of cases to 12,948, with the death toll at 575.

 The Ministry of Health also reported a total of 51 people received their second dose in the same period.

According to the ministry, at this rate it would take another 55 weeks to reach the target of 63,128 fully vaccinated people, and not by November 12 this year, as planned.

Since the kingdom’s vaccination campaign began on 15 April 2021, the Ministry of Health reported on September 16 they had reached 46,776 people with first shots, or 74% of the targeted population.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services said children in this age bracket were being vaccinated first as these children were mostly in secondary school and some of them are nearing the end of their secondary education.

The ministry's advisory said that children will need to receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine which is administered at a dose interval of 28 days.

Parents and guardians will be asked to sign a consent form for children receiving this vaccine.

In a statement, Judge Deborah Marshall said she had been aware of "ongoing speculation" about the cause of death surrounding the teenager.

"Based on the information available to date, it does not appear that the death in question is linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine," she said.

"However, this issue will be investigated carefully by the coroner and pertinent information will be requested from various agencies, including the COVID-19 Vaccination Independent Safety Monitoring Board."