16th April, 2021 Yesterday, Thursday 15 April 2021, the Government of Tonga together with the Ministry of Health launched the national rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Tonga. This historical milestone in Tonga’s COVID-19 National Deployment Vaccination Plan was marked by an official launch program where the guest of honour was Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita. Her Royal Highness Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita commenced the national rollout by receiving her first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Lord Tuita also received the vaccine afterwards.
In solidarity and support of the national rollout, the Prime Minister, Honourable Reverend Dr Pohiva Tu’ionetoa and the Minister for Health, Honourable Associate Professor, ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu, received the COVID-19 vaccine together with frontliners. Others who were vaccinated included the President of the Free Church of Tonga, Reverend Semisi Fonua, Acting CEO, Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa and other senior staff of the Ministry of Health.
Present at the program were representatives of donor partners who are assisting the Ministry in making the rollout possible. These included high-level representatives of the World Health Organization, Australian and New Zealand governments, Japan, China, United States Peace Corps, the United Nations representative, Asian Development Bank, European Union, and World Bank. Through their bilateral support and partnership under the COVAX facility, Tonga is able to receive COVID-19 vaccines.
During the launch, Her Royal Highness Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita commended the Tongan government for its achievement in still keeping Tonga COVID-19 free. She encouraged the Tongan public to receive the vaccination as soon as they are eligible to do so.
Her Royal Highness conveyed, “There is a saying that prevention is better than cure. Today, the vaccines are here in Tonga to help us – you and I – to be better prepared today, for the future. In this journey, let us walk and work together with the Tongan Government and the Ministry of Health. That is the hallmark of our nation, our strength lies in working together.”
The Minister for Health, Honourable Tu’ipulotu, thanked the Prime Minister for his resilient leadership in a time of uncertainty. She also recognised the significant role undertaken by development partners in providing their support to the country. “The vaccines have arrived before the virus because of your generosity and the enormous financial support your governments have given. This will go a very long way in strengthening Tonga’s healthcare system to ensure it’s commitment to universal health coverage; leaving no one behind.”
Dr Yutaro Setoya, Officer in Charge of the WHO Country Liaison Office for Tonga was also present at the launch and said, “I’m sure Tonga will do an excellent work in rolling out the vaccination campaign starting today. I look forward to people of Tonga receiving the vaccination starting from the frontliners and the people at high risk, as vaccination is a step towards normalcy. WHO will stand by you as always and by the Kingdom of Tonga.”
Following the launch, the Ministry’s vaccination team initiated the official rollout to frontliners who were registered for the COVID-19 vaccine. This included staff from the Ministry of Health, Tonga Police and Fire Services, His Majesty’s Armed Forces, and airports and ports staff. In the days leading up to their vaccinations, the Ministry had conducted information sessions to ensure that all staff were confident in their informed decisions as the nation’s frontliners.
The Ministry of Health aims for all frontliners to be vaccinated over the next three days. This is a total of 2,200 staff including healthcare workers.
The Ministry intends to continue rollout for the second priority group at the Kolomotu’a and Kolofo’ou District starting Monday 19 April 2021. The second priority group are all persons aged 45 and above. Persons aged 18 years old and above who have a non-communicable disease (NCDs) as well as persons living with disabilities are also included in this group.
The Ministry of Health is assured by the World Health Organisation in the safety and efficacy of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has undergone rigorous clinical trials and safety assessments in order to ensure it meets the highest level of safety standards. The Ministry of Health remains confident in the national rollout as well as in ensuring the proper mechanisms are in place, for any urgent need that may arise.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Health