COVID vaccination a requirement for entry into American Samoa

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Government is preparing for the August 30 test flight. This flight will begin to test the new TALOFAPASS application, a component of the Safe Travels American Samoa (STAS) initiative that screen travelers with pre-travel requirements to enter the Territory.

Since, the FDA issued a full biological license for the Pfizer vaccine for 16 years and older. The COVID-19 vaccination is now a requirement for entry into American Samoa.

The Declaration of Ongoing Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency issued on August 13, 2021, made vaccination a condition of entry as soon as the FDA fully approved a vaccine. 

Children who are 12 to 15 years old may be vaccinated under an Emergency Use Authorization.

Acting Governor Talauega cannot express enough the importance of eligible American Samoa residents getting vaccinated as soon as possible. He states, “As you get vaccinated, you are helping us to defend our Territory and save the lives of those who cannot receive shots [the population under 12] from COVID-19. Do not delay. I encourage all those who are eligible to go get their shots.”

“The implementation of the TALOFAPASS system means we are one step closer to opening up our borders. So we must do what it takes to stay safe and give our local public health system a jumpstart to responding and containing the possible spread of the virus.”

Recent surges in Hawaii have led to the State of Hawaii urging tourists and residents to reconsider visiting/returning to Hawaii while cases are climbing. Prime Minister Arden has extended New Zealand’s lockdown due to the highest outbreak of the Delta Variant Auckland, recording a record high of 44 cases in one day.

Also, Fiji’s total of over 44,000 positive cases and nearly 500 deaths should remind us of how this virus can affect mortality rates and negatively impact the social, mental, and economic capacities of infecting surrounding island nations.

(Source: Governor’s Office press release)