Vaccinations expanded to all

Starting Monday, COVID-19 vaccinations in the CNMI will be expanded to those who are 16 years old and older—essentially opening the vaccination process to almost the entire CNMI community, except for children.

This comes as the CNMI saw another case of COVID-19 yesterday, raising the CNMI’s cumulative total to 157. The individual was identified through expanded contact tracing connected to several individuals who have earlier tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. statement, the individual is asymptomatic, was confirmed positive on Wednesday, and is already in quarantine. All positive cases and close contacts have been safely isolated from the community.

Separately, according to CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muña yesterday, the COVID-19 vaccine will be made available for ages 16 years old and older on Saipan this Monday, while the community-based testing will resume at the same time.

On Rota, vaccinations will start on Sunday, March 21, for those who are 18 years and older. On Tinian, vaccinations will start on March 26 for those who are 18 years and older.

When asked if CHCC has enough vaccines on hand, Muña said there is enough supply of vaccines “before the next shipment comes in.” There was no immediate word on when the next shipments of vaccines are expected.

The Federal Drug Administration gave the Moderna Inc. vaccine Emergency Use Authorization for ages 18 and older, and the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those who are 16 and older. This is why CHCC can only offer the Moderna vaccine on Rota and Tinian since this vaccine can be readily transported using conventional storage equipment, unlike the Pfizer vaccine that requires special equipment for ultra-cold storage. On Saipan, the Pfizer vaccine will be offered to those 16 years old and older.

As for the community-based testing, Muña said it will be offered at the Alternate Care Site at Kanoa Resort in Susupe.

Testing experts from South Korea are expected to come in today to help with the CBT. The CNMI obtained its COVID-19 test kits from South Korea last year and the company that provided the kits also sent a team last time to carry out equipment regulation and test quality assurance and quality control. The same help will be provided for the CNMI as it moves forward with the CBT next week since CHCC already has many priorities with the vaccines and running the hospital.

Muña did not clarify how the community can register for the CBT.

To register for the vaccination, go online at www.vaccinatecnmi.com. You may also register over the phone by calling (670) 682-5E10111(7468). On Saipan, on-site registration is open for persons 55 years and older.