Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11 years olds has been put on hold by the Health Department for selected schools on Thursday, Dec. 16th and today, Friday, Dec. 17th at the vaccination sites, according to a DoH health advisory sent out late Wednesday afternoon.

And this is due to the overwhelming turnout at school-based vaccine sites from the Central, Western and part of the Eastern districts, as well as a delay in the arrival of DoH vaccine shipment for this age group.

DoH said it is expecting a shipment of additional vaccines for this age group tomorrow, Saturday and will resume the availability of the vaccines for them next week.

The vaccine for those 12-years and older, along with the booster doses were still being administered yesterday at designated sites — mainly schools — and also today, at the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei and the DYWA Gym in Tafuna from 8a.m. to 12noon.

For more information call DoH hotline 219, or its visit its Facebook page for the latest update.