Tonga fully vaccinates 43% of eligible people (over-18) [1]
Tuesday, August 24, 2021 - 19:37. Updated on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 - 19:38.
Over 27,152 people have received the second dose of the COVID-19 Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine in Tonga, since the second roll out program started on June 24 in Nuku'alofa.
This represents about 43% of the eligible population (aged 18 years and over).
The Ministry of Health CEO for Public Health Dr Reynold 'Ofanoa said today that 27,152 people had now been fully vaccinated, while a total of 39,744 people (about 62%) had received their first dose of the vaccine.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is expecting to receive more vaccines, with an aim to fully vaccinate 70 percent of the population by December this year.
The goal is to vaccinate 63,128 people with two doses of AstraZeneca. These are the eligible persons aged 18 years and over, living in Tonga.
So far the rollout of the first doses has been focused on Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Vava'u.
While in Tongatapu and 'Eua over 54% of the eligible population have received their second doses.
Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Health there are about 1755 people who are overdue for their second dose, which should have been administered within 12 weeks of the first dose.