Immunisation

Immunisations save hundreds of millions of lives every year across the world and are widely recognised as one of the world’s most successful public health interventions.

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), health centres continue to drive the message to communities on the importance of vaccinations to improve health and wellbeing.

Chief Executive Officer of the SHP Provincial Health Authority (SHP PHA), Dr Joseph Birisi said, “While the current focus is on new vaccines to protect against COVID-19, the need to ensure routine vaccinations are not missed, remains essential.’

The alliance is funded by 24 governments, including European Union and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

PNG will transition or exit out of this support 2 years from now.

This means PNG will need to fully finance all vaccine and immunisation program costs.

Much of the support from Gavi finances the procurement of new vaccines, strengthens the country’s immunisation program and service deliveries.

Ropa says an outbreak can occur anywhere in the country.

“And it can be huge and devastating. We can have deaths and problems with our health system to cope with it,” he said.

His advice is for parents to take responsibility and bring their children to the nearest clinic for vaccination or inspection at the earliest show of measles.

“Vaccines are free and available,” he said.

He said the symptoms include fever and rash, and sometimes running nose and cough.