Faipule questions why LBJ is no longer providing COVID vaccinations

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen has questioned the reason why the LBJ Hospital is no longer providing vaccinations for COVID-19 to the public. He informed the House of Representatives on Monday that according to reports that reached his office, there is a shortage of the first vaccine at the Tafuna Community Health Center (TCHC) and people were told that the new supply of more than 7,000 doses of the vaccine will arrive on island from the weekend cargo flight.

The Dept. of Health (DoH) announced last Friday that the Tafuna Health Center is the only location for COVID-19 vaccinations as the LBJ Hospital is now turning to preparations for the arrival of the first repatriation flight, which arrived this past Monday.

There’s concern for DoH of staff burnout after weeks of long hours with the vaccination campaign, and with the repatriation flights, the first of which has now arrived.

DoH Director, Motusa Tuileama Nua informed faipule during his confirmation hearing last week that a request is going out to FEMA for staffing support.

Last Friday, the TCHC announced that they will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 30, for COVID-19 vaccinations. A public announcement  will be made when the TCHC will open again for first dose COVID-19 vaccinations.

Hundreds of people who visited the TCHC early Monday morning were told to go home due to a “shortage” of the first dose of Covid-19 vaccinations.