The patch of Astrazeneca vaccine.
Photo: Simon Rogers
Tonga s Ministry of Health confirmed more than 19,000 doses of the Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in the country from New Zealand yesterday.
This batch would make up the second dose of the vaccine for those who have already had their first dose, said the ministry s acting chief executive Reynold Ofanoa.
The number of doses in the latest shipment is short of the 24,000 doses received in the first batch, but another delivery was expected, he said.
Tongan medics are still rolling out the first batch of the vaccine, having used up about 72 percent so far.
Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital
Photo: facebook
China offers help with Samoan bodies awaiting autopsies
The backlog of deceased awaiting autopsies in Samoa may soon get relief with an offer of assistance from the Chinese Embassy.
The
Samoa Observer newspaper reported some 18 bodies, including those of children, were lying at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital mortuary waiting for autopsies to be performed.
Samoa does not have a resident pathologist and relied on those seconded from Australia and New Zealand.
However due to Covid-19 border closures this had not happened.
An Embassy spokesperson said they fully understood the situation and China was willing to provide support after further discussions.