General Information
Find the most up-to-date COVID-19 information in American Samoa:
VACCINE ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility Information:
- COVID-19 vaccine is available for ages 5 and over regardless of residence and health insurance status.
- COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 6 months will be available soon here in American Samoa’s Department of Health.
- Vaccines continue to offer the best protection against COVID-19 and children 6 months to under 5 years old can benefit from the same protection.
- Parents and guardians of children ages 6 months to 17 should have the child’s documents ready before visiting the clinic. Listed below are the required documents for the COVID-19 vaccine based on age group:
Required Documents:
| AGE GROUPS | Pfizer-BioNTech | Moderna | Requirements |
| 6 months to 5* | YES | YES |
|
| 5 to 11 | YES | YES |
|
| 12 to 17 | YES | YES |
|
| 18 & older | YES | YES |
|
*MRN, medical record number
*Vaccines are on HOLD. Please contact the DOH for further information.
Before visiting the COVID-19 location sites, please remember to wear a mask. It would also be helpful to wear short sleeves or a loose-fitting sleeve shirt easy to roll up before getting vaccinated.
Vaccinating every age group is very important in keeping our island COVID-19 safe.
VACCINE LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION
Vaccine locations and times may vary. Please visit DOH’s Facebook page or call 219 for the most recent changes.
|
LOCATION |
TIME |
| WELL BABY DOH TAFUNA CLINIC | 8 AM TO 4 PM |
| DWYA – TAFUNA | 8 AM to 4 PM |
| EOB – UTULEI | 8 AM to 4 PM |
| DOH CLINICS | 8 AM to 4PM |
Need a ride to a COVID-19 Vaccination Site?
DOH & partners are teaming up to offer free rides to and from vaccination locations.
Call one of the numbers below to schedule a ride.
Dial-A-Ride
(684) 699-5357
(684) 699-5367
ASCCC
(684) 699-0110
Vaccine FAQs
Who is currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in American Samoa?
- Ages 5 to 11 – Are eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech
- Ages 12 to 17 – Are eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech
- Ages 18 & older – Are eligible to receive Pfizer and Moderna and the Booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Modern, or Pfizer.
Do I have to pay to get vaccinated? How do I register or make an appointment?
No. You do not need to pay or make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Getting your COVID-19 vaccination is a great start to protecting and keeping our island from COVID-19 safe, and ending the pandemic.
Please visit our General Information Page for the latest updated list of COVID-19 vaccine sites and remember to take your required documents. Click here for more information.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective?
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you get the vaccination as soon as possible for an extra layer of protection from the COVID-19 virus. There are millions of people that received the COVID-19 vaccine. Being fully vaccinated helps you to get back to normal activities prior to the pandemic.
Should pregnant and breastfeeding women receive the vaccine?
Yes. According to CDC, getting the COVID-19 vaccination can protect women who are pregnant or recently pregnant from COVID-19. Pregnant women can also receive the booster shot.
There has been no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems in women or men.
Can COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give me COVID-19?
No. COVID-19 vaccines do not create or cause variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Visit CDC: Understanding mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for more information.
Do the mRNA vaccines permanently alter my DNA?
No. The vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. The genetic material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept.
Can I leave immediately after my vaccination shot?
No. There is a 15-minutes waiting period after you get your COVID-19 vaccination in case there are serious complications.
What can I expect at the vaccination site?
Please wear a mask and have your required documents ready when you arrive at the vaccination site.
What if I lost my vaccination card? Where can I get a replacement? Or can I get a replacement?
Please visit the Immunization Office in Fagaima to get a replacement copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card. You will need to take a valid ID and your Medical Record Number.
BOOSTER SHOT
Variants of COVID-19 may be around for longer than expected. Each variant is a little different from another. For example, those who were sick with Delta were more likely to be in the hospital versus those who were sick with Omicron. Booster shots help vaccinated people keep or improve their protection especially when waves of people get COVID-19. One example shows the risk of a person who will not get signs from the Omicron variant goes down to 50%, but with a booster, it can go back up to 80%.
Required Documents:
Bring a valid Government-issued ID and your MRN*.
Booster FAQs
Do I need to get the booster?
Yes. CDC recommends getting your booster shot if you are fully vaccinated and have received the first= two COVID-19 shots within 6 months.
How is American Samoa distributing the vaccine for booster doses?
Booster doses are available for individuals who are 18 and over, and have completed the second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the single dose of the Janssen vaccine.
If you received Moderna/Pfizer: Individuals will need only one single booster dose at least six months after the second dose.
If you received Johnson & Johnson: Only individuals age 18 and older are authorized to receive the vaccine at least two months after. They can get a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Modern, or Pfizer.
Vaccinating our families and communities is the best way to protect those that are not yet eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine (4 years and under).
Why should I get boosted if I can still get sick with COVID-19?
Vaccinated people can spread COVID. However, they are nearly70% less likely to get COVID if exposed and nearly 85% protected against hospitalization.
