Consignment of 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines arrives in Tonga [1]
Wednesday, August 11, 2021 - 18:48. Updated on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 - 18:49.
A consignment of 10,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Tonga on Tuesday, August 10. This will enable the vaccination roll out to reach the outer islands of Ha'apai and the two Niuas.
The Australian-manufactured AstraZeneca vaccines is part of Australia's regional commitment to provide vital support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia’s Acting Head of Mission Nicholas Murphy said, the arrival of these vaccines in Tonga today was one of the key solutions towards returning to a normal life, and stemming the social and economic impact of the pandemic.
"With upcoming potential help from the people of New Zealand and Japan, with whom Australia has enjoyed helpful cooperation and collaboration on vaccine distribution, I see great opportunities for Tonga to meet its target of substantial community immunity before the end of 2021."
He said this gave us all hope of resuming a more normal life and putting an end to several years of separation, restrictions and sacrifice.
Support
Australia had committed to providing 45,000 Australian-made AstraZeneca vaccines to Tonga this year, and this shipment followed 9,000 doses, which arrived on July 20 for the people of Vava’u.
In addition to the supply of vaccine doses, Australia has committed through the regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI), to provide AUD$2.3 million for the purchase of waste management equipment, including a safe and environmentally friendly ‘Ecosteryl’ unit which produces less toxic emissions than traditional incinerator units and limits waste by-products by up to 80%.
This will be the first Ecosteryl unit in use in Tonga, and the second for the Pacific. Through VAHSI, Australia has also offered technical advice to Tonga from some of the world's leading immunisation experts via Australia's Therapeutic Goods Association and the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance to support Tonga’s overall COVID-19 response and vaccine campaigns.
In 2020, Australia had also supported Tonga with pandemic preparedness including through the provision of GeneExpert and PCR testing equipment, PPE and the purchase of additional supplies through an additional AUD$1 million in COVID support through the Tonga Health Systems Support Program.
This assistance package is in addition to Australia's AUD$130 million contribution to the COVAX Facility's Advance Market Commitment, of which Tonga is an eligible country.
Meanwhile, through COVAX, 48,000 vaccines have arrived in Tonga since March 31 of this year.