A dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is administered.
Photo: AFP
The COVAX facility, an initiative set up to provide equitable access to vaccines, has put Tonga on the tentative list to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was recently approved by the World Health Organisation.
Chief Executive Officer, Dr Siale Akau ola, said Tonga initially tried to obtain the Pfizer vaccine when it was approved, but it had decided to prioritise countries where people were sick with Covid-19.
Tonga had yet to record a case of the coronavirus. Akau ola said Tonga would receive the AstraZeneca vaccine as it was easier to store and use.
Chief executive of Tonga s Ministry of health Dr Siale Akauola.
Photo: RNZ Pacific/Christine Rovoi
Local media has reported that there are 8,000 Tongans stuck overseas due to Covid-19 border restrictions, including 13 Tongans who travelled to India for medical treatment.
Chief Executive Dr Siale Akau ola said he was pleased with the news as it had not been an easy process arranging repatriations for Tongans who were abroad. We try our best to support our people who are overseas for example, those in India, we provide financial support to pay for their accommodation and we make sure they are being fed in the hotels that they stay in. We haven t forgotten about the rest of people stranded in other places.