Vaccines remain one of the most effective ways to combat COVID-19 and protect the health security
of our region. The Government of Samoa’s national COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the willingness of
Samoans to be vaccinated has helped Samoa achieve one of the highest vaccination rates in the
region.
The Australian Government is honoured to continue our support for the Government of Samoa’s
national Covid-19 vaccine rollout. Today we are delivering an additional 10,000 doses of the
Australian-manufactured AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on an Australian Defence Force flight.
Australia has shared more than 60,000 doses with Samoa. This is in addition to our investment of
AUD130 million to the COVAX facility.
“Samoa shares a close partnership with Australia, and we are grateful for these vaccines at this
critical time as we feel the impacts at home of this global pandemic. We urge all those who are yet
to have their vaccine to get vaccinated” said Honourable Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.
“We know that vaccination makes a crucial difference in minimising severe disease and
hospitalisations. This is certainly our experience in Australia, where many friends and family
members, including within the Samoan-Australian community, continue to be directly affected by
this global pandemic” said Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa HE Emily Luck.
“Australia is pleased to continue to support Samoa’s response to COVID-19 – support which goes
beyond vaccines. We were pleased to recently deliver testing equipment, 50 oxygen concentrators
and over 3,500kg of Personal Protective Equipment and consumables to ensure essential supplies
are available. The PPE in particular will help keep Samoa’s frontline workers safe – we thank them
for their service”
As members of the Pacific family, Samoa and Australia will continue to work together to navigate the
challenges that both our countries face from the COVID-19 pandemic.