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Residents urged to get vaccinated as Am Samoa prepares for repatriation flights

A crowd under a tent waiting to get vaccinated
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Data rreleased Wednesday by the Health Department provides a breakdown of those who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by age group.

Based on the data, DoH said that the territory’s population of 61 years and older, who may be living with chronic illness are among the highest group that have at least one dose.

“We do want to stress the importance of the second dose in order to achieve the 94 or 95% efficacy or the high percentage that the vaccine will work to prevent COVID-19,” said DoH.

Another data-sheet released by DoH shows that as of Jan. 26th, a total of 7,146 individuals have receive only one dose. Of that total number, 4,779 people got the Pfizer vaccine and 2,368 received the Moderna vaccine.

For the second dose, there is none for the Moderna, while 953 for Pfizer.

Breakdown per age group, according to DoH data, shows that a total of 2,034 who are individuals 61 years and older have received the two doses — 1,902 with one dose and 132 received the second dose.

For the age group of 51 to 60 years old — a total of 1,477 have received the first dose and 175 of them have received the second dose.

Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga and health officials continue to urge residents to take the vaccine as American Samoa prepares to receive the first repatriation flight from the U.S. set for next Monday, Feb. 1st.

DoH is stressing the need to continue all precautions even after receiving the vaccines, i.e hand hygiene, wear a mask, practice social distancing.

Another shipment of the Moderna vaccine of about 1,000 doses arrived on the cargo flight last week Saturday and another shipment is expected on tomorrow’s cargo flight, according to DoH officials.

This graphic chart released Wednesday by the Health Department provides a breakdown of those who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by age group.  [photo/graphics: DoH]