The Pacific region, including Tonga, has requested doses of a vaccine currently being developed to fight against COVID-19, said the Minister for Health Hon ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu on July 22.

The Minister was involved with these discussions as part of a teleconference last night with 209 people worldwide through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility.

“It was a general discussion by GAVI, who are leading the work on finding a vaccine, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF and other research institutions, manufacturers who will produce the vaccine, and countries,” she said.

The CoViD-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) was created by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and aims to distribute at least two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by the end of 2021. Countries can join the public-private partnership to pool funds for vaccine research and equitable supply.

However, the Minister said at the moment the Pacific region is making a request through the World Health Organisation’s Office of the Director General, working together with the Regional Director, for 3 million doses or 0.1 percent of the 2 billion doses to be produced in the world.

“The aim of COVAX in this global partnership is to find a safe vaccine that can be mass produced and available towards the end of 2021. This would vaccinate around 20% of the population worldwide and reduce the [CoViD-19] acute phase that is currently happening.”

Doses

The Minister said, what she understood on the status of this vaccine currently in discussions, is that the first 20% of a population in a country to be vaccinated would be health professionals to ensure they are safe to be able to look after people, as well as the front liners such as Tonga Police.

“This will also include elderly people and others who suffer from other illnesses, such as NCDs and are vulnerable to the virus. I was pleased with this conference because in my opinion, this was an ethical approach for the whole world, including low income countries, middle income countries and high income countries.

"The high income countries will be able to afford to purchase the vaccines and they can support middle and low income countries, like Tonga and the rest of the Pacific.“

This work is at the fastest speed but it would also take time to ensure this vaccine is safe, she added.

“I am satisfied that this plan from GAVI, this global alliance, is a very well laid plan for the whole world. But there are still a lot of uncertainties around this from discussions.”

However, the Minister confirmed that Tonga has not joined GAVI as a contributing member.

Traffic diverted

Tonga has not reported any cases of CoViD-19. Passengers from the first repatriation flight remain isolated in their second week of quarantine at the Tanoa Hotel in central Nuku'alofa.

Because parts of Vuna Road and Tupoulahi Road have been closed around the hotel, it has disrupted traffic flow in the Nuku'alofa CBD. Commuters have been experiencing traffic jams during peak hours and businesses are unhappy with the slow cross-town traffic through the CBD.

Deputy Police Commissioner, ‘Atunaisa Taumoepeau said that the roads are closed because of their proximity to the Tanoa Hotel and to minimize the risk should a person in quarantine try to escape.

“We understand Vuna Road is one of the main roads in town and we have police on duty [directing traffic] during peak times in the morning and the afternoon.”

He said there were no plans to open up the roads or lanes around the hotel while there are people in quarantine.

“We apologize for this. But we have to sacrifice as there is nothing worse than if someone escapes from the hotel.”

“I ask everyone during this difficult time for patience,” he said.