Next Monday, August 30 will be a very important and busy day for American Samoa ‘s efforts to vaccinate more people against the deadly Covid virus and also test the territory’s capability in keeping the virus out.
The Covid 19 Task Force announced what’s been planned at a press conference this morning led by Task Force Chairman, Acting Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale and Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega.
The chairman talked first about the August 30 Medicaid test flight arriving on Monday.
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Monday also sees the start of the cash payouts to get more people vaccinated,
Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega urged the public to please use this opportunity to get vaccinated.
He encouraged parents with children eligible for the shots to bring them to the vaccination sites.
The Executive Director of the American Rescue Plan Act Oversight Office, Keith Gebauer, explained that $5 million is made available under ARPA for this vaccination campaign. 
The first phase involves public education and awareness so that residents will be able to make informed decisions about the Covid vaccine. And the second phase will be the cash incentives.
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The payments of $100 per shot are to be paid right after vaccination.
