Covid-19 vaccination

Pasifika mass vaccination events launching around New Zealand

The first drive-through event which coincides with Tonga Language week - runs from 8.30am-4pm, Thursday to Saturday at the Free Wesleyan Church Of Tonga.

As of this week, 56 percent of the eligible Pacific population 12+ years have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Pacific Response Co-ordination Team chair Pakilau Manase Lua said Tonga is a proud nation with community spirit and hopes to capture 12-30 year-olds who are yet to be vaccinated.

Vaccinating children crucial - top Fiji health official

It comes amid concerns raised by the Health Ministry and the public at the rate of children dying from the virus in Fiji.

So far about 10 young people have succumbed to the Delta variant, with the latest victims a six-month-old boy and an 11-year-old girl among the dead reported last weekend.

Fiji's chief medical advisor Dr Jemesa Tudravu said vaccinating children would also be a crucial factor in deciding when schools reopen

Schools have been closed since April this year.

Vaccines will not be mandatory for Gallagher Premiership players

Premiership Rugby will be following the example set by the Football Association in not requiring players to be inoculated before returning to the field this September.

The league will continue to run a full LFT testing programme as per the 2020/21season.

A Premiership Rugby spokesperson said: “Our No 1 priority has always been the health and safety of everyone involved with Premiership Rugby – supporters, players, staff and management.

WHO calls for booster pause to vaccinate poorer nations

WHO Chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a pause would allow for at least 10% of the population in every country to be vaccinated.

A number of nations including Israel and Germany have announced plans to administer a third dose.

But Dr Tedros has warned poorer nations are falling behind.

According to the WHO, low-income countries have only been able to administer 1.5 doses for every 100 people due to a lack of supply.

Dr Tedros said that there needs to be a reversal and that the majority of vaccines should go to lower income countries.

King and Queen of Tonga receive second dose of COVID-19 vaccine

The Royal Physician, Dr. Sione Latu and Sr. Seilini Soakai visited the royal residence and administered the doses according to protocol.

The Minister and Ministry of Health humbly express their sincere appreciation for the support from Their Majesties, a great achievement for the vaccination team as the Ministry continues to reach out to the rest of Tonga who are yet to receive their doses.

So far, 18,712 people have received their second dose of the COVID -19 vaccine.

This represents 65 per cent of the 28,841 people who have received their first dose.

2,319 people in Tonga receive second dose of COVID-19 vaccine

The daily vaccination average is 464 people per day.

“Frontliners continue to receive their second dose with 38% covered to date.”

According to vaccination teams, there is zero wastage of administering the vaccine.

There have been no reports of extreme allergic reactions since the start of the second dose of vaccinations.

To date there have been 0 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 0 deaths in Tonga.

 

Photo source Ministry of Health Tonga 

     

Second COVID-19 vaccinations underway in Tonga

Health workers began offering the second dose on 24 June, and Matangi Tonga reports 1124 people in Tonga have now had their second AstraZeneca dose.

Health Ministry chief executive Dr Siale 'Akau'ola said the aim is for 70 percent of the Tongan population to be inoculated by December.

A total of 28,667 people have already had their first dose.

24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were shipped to Nuku'alofa in late March, through the COVAX programme.

 

Photo Ministry of Health Tonga 

     

Tonga allocates venues for second dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

A total of 28,667 people are targeted to be fully vaccinated in Tongatapu and Eua by early August.

Vaccination sites have been also assigned for the roll out of the vaccine.

Basilica Fixed site will be open for front liners to get their vaccines from today till 30 July.

NCD Vaiola Fixed Site will be also opened for the front liners from today will 30 September.

Queen Salote Memorial Hall Fixed site will be open to the public from 2 August - 31 August.

A total of 3,557 people are targeted to get fully vaccinated in Kolomotu’a 1 & 2 district.

Hundreds of Pacific people receive COVID-19 vaccine in Wellington

Part of a series of ‘festival days’ – where the Pacific community is vaccinated together in a welcoming environment – today’s event was the first in the region to be held in a place of worship.

Capital & Coast DHB worked with Tū Ora Compass Health PHO and the church community on the event last week.

“It was wonderful to see so many of our older Pacific members there today, and we look forward to more events like this supporting better health outcomes for our vulnerable communities,” said Tū Ora Pacific Director of Health Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa.

Tonga COVID-19 vaccination roll out continues

The number has been confirmed by the Ministry’s Command Centre which is the central operations unit for the national vaccination rollout.

The Ministry said it has exceeded its expectation of 28,000 doses from the first vaccination batch and there are still 3 remaining vials to be used.

The vaccination sites for Tongatapu are now officially closed.

The remaining doses will be administered to priority groups in ‘Eu’eiki when weather permits, later this week.

The Ministry of Health said it is also planning to vaccinate a number of front-liners from Vava’u.