Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The government’s $100 cash incentive, which is awarded to any eligible resident (except ASG employees) getting a first or second dose of the vaccine will end this coming Friday and the health centers have been busy this week accommodating the foot traffic there.

In addition, Friday, January 14 is also the deadline for ASG employees to provide proof of full vaccination, according to a press release issued by the COVID-19 Task Force, chaired by Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Va’alele Ale. (See yesterday’s issue of Samoa News)

During his opening statements Talauega acknowledged the members for their support and roles in the progress and achievements of the past year and requested their further support in finalizing the COVID-19 operations report highlighting the major repatriation, vaccination, and quarantine operation costs that went into the Territory’s COVID-19 emergency response in 2021.

According to Talauega current estimates report that well over half or approximately 65% of COVID-19 operations costs went to local businesses for essential services in the hotel, food, and transportation sectors. The report is scheduled to be released in the following week.

He also pointed out that 326 individuals have registered through the TALOFAPASS system for the January 27 flight according to updates from the ASG-Hawaii office. The flight schedule remains the same with an estimated time of departure (ETD) set for 1:59 HST and the estimated time of arrival (ETD) is 6:44 PM.

OMICRON VARIANT

DOH Epidemiologist Dr. Aifili Tufa presented updates on the Omicron variant that has quickly reached every country in the world and now represents 90% of cases in the United States. While there is still much to be learned about the variant, Dr Tufa presented some of the knowns of the variant:

• ¥          Omicron spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and previous variants.

• ¥          Cases are less severe compared to Delta and previous variants. 

• ¥          Omicron has become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 Variant in the US. 

• ¥          CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the 
virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

• ¥          Breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. 

• ¥          Current vaccines remain effective against severe illness, 
hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. 

• ¥          A booster shot reduces risk of hospitalization compared to those who are fully vaccinated without a booster shot.

VAX NUMBERS IN DECEMBER

The three-day COVID mass vaccination and the $100 per shot cash incentive offered last month helped bolster American Samoa’s full vaccination coverage to 75%.

A total of 10,183 COVID doses were administered in December, the biggest number of shots given in one month since February 2021.

And with the cash incentive still offered in January 2022, the first week of the New Year alone saw 2,331 shots administered, surpassing total doses administered for the entire month of November 2021.

As of Jan. 10, 2022, a total of 40,621 people eligible to get the COVID shot received at least one dose. Of that number 37,564 are fully vaccinated. For the entire population, this means 81.7% have received one dose while 75.6% are fully vaccinated.

Talauega said the vaccination numbers are very promising. He acknowledged the hard work of many government and private sector partners which helped push the vaccination rate that had been moving at a snail’s pace for two months prior to the December mass vaccination.

The COVID Task Force Chairman lauded the efforts by the Department of Health, Office of Samoa Affairs, Fono and all the partners that continue to push daily for more eligible residents to get protected from the deadly COVID through vaccination.

According to the press release, the big boost in numbers came from the young eligible population, the 5 to 17 year olds, which were targeted during the three-day mass vaccination push. 83.9% of all public and private school children eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose while 70.2% are fully vaccinated.

12.9% or 1,577 eligible students are awaiting their second doses, about 1% or 94 students are past due for their second doses while 16% have not gotten their first dose.

For the latest vaccination schedule, please contact the Health Department.

(Source: COVID-19 Task Force press release)