COVID Task Force handing out $100 per vax in the arm starting Monday
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Task Force Chairman Talauega Eleasalo Va’alele Ale announced at Monday’s Task Force meeting the newest vaccination incentive to support the AS Department of Health’s goal to reach 80% and above of fully vaccinated residents across the entire Territory.
“Starting on Monday August 30th until October 15th, all residents that are eligible for their first and second shots can visit any of the official COVID-19 vaccine distribution sites and receive a maximum of $200 –– or $100 per dose –– so long as doses are administered within the limited period”, said the Acting Governor in a press release issued yesterday by the ASG COVID Taskforce.
Confirmed sites for the vaccination incentives will be announced in the coming days with additional sites to be mobilized based on need. The COVID-19 vaccine clinics have been closed as of Wednesday Aug 25th to prepare for the incentive kick off and the pilot test flight on August 30th.
Department of Health Pharmacist Dr. Francine Amoa, who heads the Vaccination Distribution Working Group commented on the preparations underway with the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Oversight Office, the AS Department of Treasury, and the Office of Samoan Affairs (OSA).
“Our Pulenu’u will play an integral role in efforts through a door-to-door outreach campaign at the village level.
“The OSA will also undergo training and be equipped with promotional materials to boost Territorial education and awareness,” she said.
Executive Director of the ARPA Oversight Office, Keith Gebauer disclosed that as with the previous vaccination raffle incentive, the latest incentive is an allowable expense as part of the vaccination programs covered by ARPA. ARPA staff and OSA management will be collecting and inputting data and timesheets for pulenuu.
Further, Treasury personnel will be involved in the disbursement of funds once recipients have been cleared from DOH observation.
Similar incentives have been announced by President Joe Biden and governors of states across the country in an effort to increase vaccination coverage rates amid vaccine misinformation and hesitancy.
Please call the DOH COVID-19 Hotline at 219 or follow the American Samoa Department of health Facebook page for updated information.