Tonga received 36,800 doses of AstraZeneka from the Government of Japan ^Featured

The handover ceremony of 36,800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, which will be sent to start vaccination rollouts in Tongatapu and Ha’apai Islands, was attended by the Japanese  Ambassador to Tonga, His Excellency, Mr.Kensaku Munenaga, Hon. Dr. ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu, Minister for Health, Mr. Daniel Fale, Chairman of the Transport Sector Board of Directors, alongside the World Health Organisation Country Representative, Mr. Setoya Yutaro and Senior Health Officers from the Ministry of Health.

Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa expressed Tonga’s appreciation to Prime Minister Yoshihide SUGA of Japan for the effort made and the prompt responses to the Government of Tonga’s
request a for vaccine assistance during a bilateral meeting on June 30, 2021, prior to PALM9 meeting.

It takes a few weeks for Japan to approve and channelled the assistance through COVAX and transported to Tonga through UNICEF program.

“We understand the common challenges that both countries are faced with given the recent outbreak and imminent threat to the COVID -19 crisis…. This evening, Japan honoured the
request with the arrival of this assistance…,” said Hon. Tu’i’onetoa

“We know the tragedy that now affects some of our people abroad and in the region; at the same time, we know the path to recovery-can only be through getting vaccinated.

Our vaccination program, has already put some sense of security and peace of mind to many of our people, as you are all aware that the news of the recent outbreaks of the Delta virus in the
region-is so close to home.

We are doing all we can to prepare” Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa extended his appreciation to Ambassador Munenaga for the urgency of this need to arrive at such a critical time, and the COVAX and UNICEF for facilitating the assistance.

Japanese Ambassador to Tonga, His Excellency, Mr. Kensaku Munenaga extended his hope that the arrival of this vaccine assistance will protect the lives of Tongan people.

He mentioned that in his capacity as Ambassador he is happy that his country is able to contribute to the vaccine rollout and since Tonga is still COVID free, the overall population over 18 years old should be vaccinated as soon as possible, “Unfortunately, COVID-19 changed our world and we will have to coexist with it.

The age of “with Corona” will start whether we like it or not, and it is already in existence outside of Tonga.” “I sincerely hope that Tonga could maintain its COVID free society, after fully getting vaccinated, we will have to consider our border restrictions so that we could get along with other countries.

We will have to go along with the world of “with Corona” in our future.” He appreciated the on-going tireless efforts by the Tongan Government especially the Ministry of Health and front liners, in working hard to achieve the COVID free society.

The Minister for Health, Hon. Dr. ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu thanked the Government of Japan for supporting Tonga during this difficult time.