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Latest DoH health advisory: Get vaccinated!

COVID-19 TASK FORCE MEMBERS AT FONO
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In it’s latest health advisory, the Health Department confirmed that the second drive-thru for COVID-19 vaccinations is this Saturday, Apr. 10th at the parking lot of the Pago Pago International Airport.

All those who received their first dose during the first drive-thru held on Mar. 13th are reminded to return for the second dose. The individuals are requested to bring their vaccine card and photo ID. The vaccine available is Moderna.

Individuals wanting to get their first dose for the drive-thru are asked to call 219 or the Immunization Call Center at 644-8444 to sign up and provide their hospital number. You will need to bring a filled consent form with you on Saturday.

DoH is looking to start the drive-thru vaccination after 7:30a.m. The first drive-thru was very popular with a big turn out, as people don’t have to get out of their cars and the second one is also expected to have a great turn out.

Meanwhile, DoH says it received on Mar. 27th a total of 600 Janssen COVID-19 vaccines from manufacturer, Johnson and Johnson. The Janssen vaccine is a single dose for eligible age groups of 18 years and older.

DoH said it will provide an update soon on which specific populations will be getting the Janssen vaccine, as well as when and at which locations it will be made available.

DoH data shows that as of April 5th, a total of 18,315 or 55.2% of the territory’s population eligible to get vaccinated has had at least one shot, according to a statement this week from the COVID-19 Task Force. Of this number, 14,198 eligible residents or 42.8% have completed their two-shot vaccination or are now considered fully vaccinated. 

The older age groups — those in the 41-50 years; 51-60 years; and 61 and older population — continue to dominate vaccination numbers with those completing two-shots now close to 60% for each age category, according to the statement.

The task force as well as health officials are urging the public to get vaccinated, with three sites on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8a.m to 3p.m at the DoH Tafuna Health Center, Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium and A.P. Lutali Executive Officer Building (EOB).

Besides the official health advisory — provided to the news media — DoH provides updates on any changes on its Facebook page.

DoH also said flu shots are still available at the Tafuna Clinic on Tuesday and Thursdays or at the Pop-Up Sites on Saturdays: Laufou Shopping Center, Fagatogo Market Place and Leota Guest House at Pago Pago.

DoH advises to wait 14-days before or after your COVID-19 vaccine to get a flu or pneumonia vaccine shot.

And when showing up to get the COVID-19 vaccine at any of the three clinical sites, DoH advises to let the staff at the registration table and nurses know if you have had a flu shot or any other shots in the past two weeks.