Around 19,200 doses of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine arrived on an Air New Zealand cargo flight in Tonga this afternoon, confirmed Ministry of Health Acting CEO, Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa.

This batch contains the second dose of the vaccine for people who have already received their first dose.

While the number of doses falls short of the 24,000 doses received in the first batch, another delivery is expected, he said.

Dr ‘Ofanoa said extra vaccine doses will be delivered to make up the 24,000 doses required for the rollout of the second dose.

First batch nearly finished

Meanwhile, Tonga is still rolling out the first batch of the vaccine, having used up around 72% so far.

COVID-19 vaccinations will continue tomorrow, 13 May, at the locations listed below, for people over the age of 35, and over the age of 18 if they have a non-communicable disease and / or a disability.

• Kolonga – Hall Katolika Kolonga
• Mu’a – Hall Fatu
• Fua’amotu – Health Centre
• Vaini – Health Centre
• Houma – Health Centre
• Nukunuku – Health Centre
• Kolovai - Community Hall Ha’avakatolo
• Vaiola Hospital - NCD Centre

Until the first batch of vaccine doses are used up, the Ministry will continue to announce vaccination locations via radio stations, their facebook [2] page, and in communities regularly with the support of town officers.

To date, 20,103 people have been vaccinated, including 19,259 Tongan nationals and 844 foreign nationals. On average, 914 people are being vaccinated daily, and at least 21,112 people have been registered to date.

The Ministry of Health also reports no vaccine doses have been wasted, and no one has had extreme allergic reactions after vaccination.

Eleven health teams are working on the national vaccine rollout including three mobile teams.