Coronavirus

The launch took place at Pari Village.

This initiative was taken up by Chairman and Deputy Governor for NCD Dadi Toka Jnr, and facilitated by Moresby South Member Justin Tkatchenko, WHO and New Zealand High Commission.

Chairman Dadi Toka stressed to the people of Pari village that it is essential to get vaccinated as the idea of these programs is to decrease the number of deaths in the village, and chances of spreading it more as the statistics of those with premorbid conditions is high.

This is due to the negativity posted on social media platforms that have gone viral, and in its wake influencing those that feel they need more assurance that getting vaccinated is safe.

Tom Morea from central province fervently expressed his mixed feelings about the AstraZeneca vaccine.

At the recent launching of the Motu Koita Assembly Mobile Vaccination clinic, Mr Morea expressed that he, like many others, are still unsure about taking the jab.

The launching marked the first batch of 1,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine which OTML received from the National Department of Health.

OTML Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Musje Werror led the Company’s senior management and employees, including OMTL contractors, business partners, Tabubil Hospital staff, and teachers to receive their first dose of the vaccine.

Two-hundred and thirteen people were vaccinated during the launch.

A further 150 people have already registered to be vaccinated as well.

The distribution is supported by the Department of Education in partnership with Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the Australian Government, through the PNGAus Partnership.

Wardstrip Elementary School, Teacher in charge, Kiragi Steven said the school is one of the largest primary schools in PNG and that the IEC materials provided were clear and helpful and highlights the importance of prevention and control of COVID-19.

Fiji has had 360 cases in total since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 161 recoveries and four deaths.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr James Fong said two patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva.

"Today has not been an easy day, nor do I expect that the days ahead will get any better. Many of you have questions. I hope to answer some now and I am assured that a press conference will be organised soon to answer more questions," Dr Fong said.

Apart from that, the airline says it continues to implement COVID safe policies for all travellers, to ensure that their travel is safe.

“This includes completion of a NDOH Health Declaration Form for presentation on arrival at your destination, the wearing of facemasks on board aircraft and within airport facilities, use of hand sanitiser and social distancing wherever appropriate and practical,” stated ANG.

COVID-19 cases in PNG have passed the 14,000 mark with over 100 deaths have been reported and getting vaccinated remains vital.

Save the Children believes that community engagement and information sharing is needed to combat misinformation and prevent vaccine hesitancy in the community. 

Recently, the Save the Children team, together with the local health authority, youth and women representatives travelled to Kadawa in Daru, to speak about COVID-19.

This is to combat misinformation and misconception on these issues.

The discussion was attended by church leaders in Port Moresby, representatives from the PNG Council of Churches (PNGCoC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and the Ministry of Health.

General Secretary of the PNGCoC, Reverend Roger Joseph, said the focus of the meeting was for church leaders to listen to technical messages about COVID-19 and the vaccine and to iron out any misconceptions that they may have.

The Alotau General Hospital has 400 staff. A little over 60 staff have been vaccinated.

Dr. Perista Mamadi said many staff and the public have raised concerns on the side effects of the vaccine.

He said it is mainly due to information shared through social media, causing these concerns.

Dr. Mamadi and his team have gone into communities and schools to generate awareness surrounding the vaccine and its side effects.

Dr. Mamadi is one of the 60-plus health staff who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 1,500 vaccinations have been administered in Lae with more expected across the rest of the Province.

Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV) acknowledges the vaccination efforts led by the Morobe Provincial Health Authority (MoPHA).

The MoPHA has encouraged its staff based in Lae and other parts of the country to take steps to getting the shots.

"Prevention is the way forward and we all have a responsibility to keeping our fellow workers, families and communities safe by taking the the COVID-19 vaccination," said Cassender Garong, WGJV Environment Superintendent.