Tonga has approved the Pfizer vaccine for children aged five to 11, clearing the way for thousands of young Tongans to get vaccinated.
The decision by Tongan authorities comes before New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga Tiffany Babington formally handed over 13,5000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 Paediatric Vaccines to the Tonga Minister of Health Hon Saia Piukala this week.
“The shipment is a part-delivery of 35,000 doses that Aotearoa New Zealand is donating to Tonga through the Polynesian Health Corridors Program”, a statement by the New Zealand High Commission in Tonga said.
“The remaining doses will be delivered in instalment as Tonga needs them. The Ministry of Health is started the program for the COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 5 – 11 years this morning, working together with the Ministry of Education to deliver the program to children through primary school networks.
“Tatou Tatou – all of us together – we can overcome the adverse impacts of COVID-19. Aotearoa New Zealand continues to stand with the Ministry of Health, and its partners, to support the Ministry’s goal of Universal Health Coverage, to leave no one behind, including through COVID-19 vaccination.
“Tonga’s vaccination result for adults target population to date is very good at 98% Dose 1, 90% Dose 2, 55% Booster. On the basis of those results there is a high expectation that the hard working vaccination teams will do the same again with our children, who are our future”.
