Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa is widening its COVID-19 vaccination campaign with the vaccine to be given to children, five to 11 years old — following federal approval for this age group — and a mass vaccination will take place towards the end of this month to be carried out in villages starting from the Eastern district of Tutuila island as American Samoa now aims for vaccination rate of 90% and over.

This is according to health officials during a Health Department news conference live streamed on social media last Thursday, where an update on the booster doses was also provided reporting that more people are eligible for the booster shot.

CHILD VACCINATIONS

DoH Chief Pharmacist, Dr. Francine Amosa revealed what she described as “exciting news” in that “we have just received authorization” for vaccination of children 5 to 11 year sold — with an estimated population of 6,200 in the territory within this age group.

LBJ Hospital Chief Pediatrician Dr. Maria Guyapa, who was present at the news conference, reminded the community, “COVID is a vaccine preventable disease” and as “we widen our coverage, we are protecting the young ones.”

She explained that this age-group “may have symptoms from mild to severe but they can also be carriers” and therefore, it’s very important that they are protected. Additionally, the side affects of the COVID vaccine among children “is very mild.”

“It starts from a simple sore on the injection-site, or redness of the skin, to slight fever, or low-rate fever, to body aches. These symptoms don’t need to be treated — they go away on their own,” she explained and encouraged families/parents to get children in this age group “vaccinated and get them protected.”

If there are any questions regarding the vaccine, call LBJ’s Pediatric Clinic — extension 527, 520, she suggested.

DoH officials later told Samoa News that vaccinations for children in this age group will be at the DoH Well Child Clinics. “As for the date of roll out, we are still awaiting to receive shipment for this age-group. We will receive them packaged in smaller dose vials for children in this age-group,” the officials said responding to Samoa News follow-up questions.

In a national news release last week Wednesday, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pointed out that vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and therefore reduce their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications. 

“Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission,” according to the statement, which also says that distribution of pediatric vaccinations across the country started early last week, with plans to scale up to full capacity starting the week of Nov. 8th.

VILLAGE VACCINATION

Dr. Amoa — who oversees the government’s vaccination campaign — explained that the governor and the administration plan to carry out a mass vaccination out in villages towards the end of the month with the new goal to reach of 90% or more of the eligible population.

The new goal for the ASG comes as children ages 5-11 are now added to the eligible population and the 90% rate was echoed in a statement from the ASG COVID-19 Task Force news release last week. 

Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga shared the same 90% or more goal, in an updated news release early last week, after announcing the mandatory vaccination of ASG employees, with Executive Branch employees given until Dec. 15th to comply.

The amended COVID-19 declaration, issued by the governor on Nov. 1st, outlines exemptions — such as valid medical reasons and religious beliefs, practice or observance. (See Samoa News edition Nov. 3rd for details.)

During the DoH news conference, Dr. Amoa noted that vaccination is now mandatory for the ASG workforce and that DoH vaccination clinics are open for government employees, who need the required shots.

For the mass vaccination in villages, Dr. Amoa says it will start from the Eastern side of Tutuila, followed by central Tutuila before heading to the west-side. Village mayors will inform residents of the date and time when the vaccination-drive comes to their village as well as the designated vaccination site.

“That is the plan for the mass distribution moving forward, we’re looking at the end of the month to get this operation underway and the overall goal is to get to 90% or higher,” she said, adding that the vaccination rate at the time was 66.2%.

She explained that the government is proposing a plan to close all ASG services for three-days to carry out the mass vaccination, in which DoH will partner with various government agencies and the Office of Samoan Affairs, as well as others to conduct this towards the end of the month.

ASG will announce in the coming days the dates for the mass vaccination drive in villages.

BOOSTER SHOTS

Other good news shared by Dr. Amoa is that booster doses for COVID-19 are “now... available to those, starting at age 18 and up” — and the requirement remains the same that the individuals get the booster dose six months after being fully vaccinated. She asked those that have been fully vaccinated to check their vaccination card.

Dr. Amoa’s announcement confirmed what four ASG employees told Samoa News earlier last week that they have received the “booster” shot. The individuals confirmed that they are less than 60-years old and have no “serious” medical conditions.

DoH had previously announced that booster doses were available for individuals who completed their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna at least 6 months ago or who completed the Janssen vaccine at least 2 months ago.

Those eligible are 65-years and older; age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions; age 18+ who work in high-risk setting, such as hospital, airport, seaport, quarantine, frontline essential workers; and age 18+ who live in long-term care facilities such as Hope House.

DoH advises individuals to get the same type of booster as the initial vaccine but they can get a different COVID-19 booster than their initial vaccine — “mix and match” — if that is their preference.

And the booster shots are available at the vaccination clinics.