Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines is due in American Samoa this week with details surrounding its distribution expected from health authorities shortly. 

Director of Health, Motusa Tuileama Nua, said a press conference would be called soon to publicize the vaccination plan.

With the Pfizer vaccine said to be arriving soon, Governor Lolo Moliga approved a plan for the first groups to be vaccinated to include health workers and first responders.

RNZ Pacific understands over 3000 vaccines are expected in the first shipment.

All US territories were to receive regular shipments of the Covid-19 vaccine, with a distribution formula based on population.

However some members of the public had expressed concern about the announcement from the Coronavirus Taskforce that vaccinations would be mandatory in order to establish herd immunity.

LBJ Hospital was also reported to have a policy whereby front-line workers are required to be vaccinated.

Meanwhile Health Director Motusa said the DOH still needed more medical personnel and it was trying to co-ordinate the return of some American Samoan doctors from Fiji as well as recruit elsewhere.

He said with the Covid-19 vaccinations and also repatriation flights planned for early next year, they needed all hands on deck to tend to these added duties and also take care of the regular clinics.

Some local doctors had not taken leave for a year because of the 2019 measles outbreak and then the Covid-19 pandemic.

Motusa said they hoped to co-ordinate with the Coronavirus Taskforce, transportation to get their doctors from Fiji to the territory over the next few weeks.