By Pesi Fonua

Tonga's King Tupou VI assented the Vaccination (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Public Health (Amendment) Act 2021, giving government the power to declare that vaccination is compulsory.

The Acts (16 & 17 0f 2021) were among 13 pieces of legislation Gazetted [2] by the Tonga Government on 5 November.

 The Tongan Parliament on 25 August 2021 passed the Vaccination (Amendment ) Bill 2021 and the Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2021, giving the Ministry of Health the power to declare that vaccination compulsory. The King's assent was required before the legislation became law.

Health officials said the focus now is for Tonga to attain a voluntary 70% vaccination of its 103,000 population by the end of 2021.

The first person in Tonga to test positive for COVID-19 in October, was a wake-up call. It alerted the whole country to face the reality that the virus can reach Tonga.

Most noticeable was an increase in the number of people who rushed to be vaccinated. People started wearing masks and paid more attention  to the restrictions introduced under Tonga’s Health State of Emergency declared by the Prime Minister Hon. Rev. Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa on March 12, 2020, under the Emergency Management Act. The Act has been re-enacted on a monthly basis, and enforced by Tonga Police and His Majesty's Armed Forces.

After terminating a one-week Lockdown, Tonga reverted to complete its current State of Emergency, that had been previously in force from 8:00pm October 25 to 8:00pm November 22. (When it will most likely be renewed).

On Monday, 8 November, the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola, said that the national vaccination program had been progressing well, with 80% of the Vava’u population vaccinated; 67% of Tongatapu, and amounting to 65% of Tonga’s whole population.

Earlier on 25 August, when the House passed the Vaccination (Amendment) Bill 2021, Dr 'Akau'ola said that the new legislation to make COVID-19 inoculation compulsory “won’t be forced”. 

The Ministry has appealed to individuals to get vaccinated before Tonga's borders reopen, in order to build up their immunity to COVID-9. to protect themselves and those more vulnerable in the community from the worst effects of COVID-19.

Under Section 4 of the Vaccination (Amendment) Act 2021, the CEO may call for compulsory vaccination when necessary.

 “4 - Vaccination to be compulsory

(1) Subject to section 181A of the Public Health Act [Cap 12.15], every person shall be vaccinated following the declaration made by the Chief Executive Officer.

(2) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $1000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 6 months, or both.”