Ministry of Health Advises Public to Update COVID-19 Vaccinations, As Infection Spreads In NZ and the USA

November 15, 2023

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Samoa’s Ministry of Health have issued a notice advising the public to update their COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots and to continue following preventative measures, in response to the 5^th wave of COVID-19 infections experienced in NZ and the high infection rates in US.

The notice has come about due to the daily flights from both NZ and the United States into the country, and has MOH asking the public to follow preventative measures such social distancing, wearing masks, keeping areas well ventilated and regular hand washing.

The Ministry of Health warns that if you were vaccinated in 2021 and 2022, you may have a ‘waning immunity’ and are therefore advised to update all COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots for better protection.

Among those strongly advised are front-line workers, those over the age of 60, pregnant mothers and those who have other health conditions, such as diabetes, heart diseases or lung diseases.

The general public is also reminded that it is possible to get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time, as both spread in the same ways (through inhaling droplets from coughs or sneezes from infected persons)

Symptoms include:

fever, headache, muscle ache, sneezing and coughing
possible loss of smell and taste (especially in young people)
Some people with COIVD-19 may not have any symptoms at all and could still spread the virus.

COVID-19 vaccination, booster shots and the Flu Vaccination are being administered at the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI) Building at Motootua (opposite Seb&Rene) from Monday to Friday, 9am – 4:00pm.
Everyone is asked to bring their COVID-19 vaccination cards with them.

The Ministry of Health urges everyone to be more health conscious and to continue practicing the preventative measures of COVID-19. For further information, please contact MOH Public Health on telephone: 66695 or the MOH Facebook page @healthsamoa.
Full Public Notice Below: