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Governor receives first Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine on American Samoa

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga receiving COVID-19 vaccine

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga is the first in American Samoa to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. He chose to receive the vaccine first as a show of confidence to our people to encourage them to consider taking the vaccine.

The vaccine arrived Saturday on a weekly cargo flight. DoH and LBJ Medical Center yesterday launched the virus vaccinations, according to a DoH message on its Facebook page.

Most critical first responders and health care workers also got their vaccinations yesterday at the Tafuna Community Health Center between 9a.m and 1p.m, based on the list already given to DoH. Dr. Iotamo Saleapaga was the first First Responder to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

At LBJ’s “Quarantine Tent” in the hospital compound, patients and escorts confirmed on next month’s medical charter also received the vaccination. (See Samoa News story for details.)

The vaccine is stored in a frozen state and must be thawed to be used within 2-hours of thawing. Thus, scheduling and timing of COVID-19 vaccinations is necessary for all willing to receive the vaccine.