Covid-19 vaccines

Henri Dokucas Naisseline said the vaccination obligation deprives people of fundamental rights of freedom and respect for human dignity.

The high chief of the Gaumha district on the island of Mare has decided to stop the vaccination drive in all the tribes under his control, suggesting the vaccine is dangerous.

However, he said those who wish to get the vaccine can still get it.

In August, the government launched an inoculation campaign in the mainly Kanak Loyalty Islands, called Vacci'tribs, in the hope of vaccinating 80 percent of the population by January.

He said this when addressing a virtual Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting with UN Secretary General, H.E Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City this week.

“Across the region, partners have provided vaccines to Forum Island Countries, complementing those that have been secured through multilateral channels such as the COVAX facility.

Viet Nam is currently battling a complicated COVID-19 outbreak, in particular in Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring provinces, with aggressive vaccination targets a critical part of the Vietnamese Government’s strategy to contain the outbreak and relieve pressure on local health systems.

Through ongoing sharing of information by governments across the WHO Western Pacific Region, the Vietnamese Government was made aware of the doses in PNG due to expire at the end of September, and made the request to the PNG Government.

Namah said that vaccinations must be voluntarily and not by force.

He also mentioned that some supermarkets are running competitions forcing people to take vaccines in order to enter into competition to win huge prices like cars.

“If its voluntary, then why are some companies making vaccinations compulsory and making it a precondition for employment?
“Some companies are even offering competitions and prices. One company is also advertising that you have to pay K100, get vaccinated and win a vehicle from the draw.”

The first shipment of the single shots is part of the 80 million doses of vaccine that President Joe Biden committed from the U.S. vaccine supply to support global needs.

U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu Erin McKee said the United States was happy to support the PNG government in reducing the COVID-19 impact.

The vaccine dose donation follows a May response by the U.S. government to the PNG government’s request for critical assistance to confront the evolving COVID-19 situation in the country. 

In a statement, the PNGCMP said the COVID-19 pandemic requires effective, immediate action and everyone has a key role to play in minimising transmission and reducing the impact of the virus through the established ‘Niupela Pasin’ protocols.

The PNGCMP says its members have agreed to assist in ensuring the most reliable information reaches communities on the safety of the vaccine and so support the PNG Government in their vaccine rollout across the country.

The collaborative effort will ensure PNGCMP Members:

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was not fair for younger, healthy people in richer nations to get injections before vulnerable people in poorer states.

He said over 39 million vaccine doses had been given in 49 richer states - but one poor nation had only 25 doses.

Meanwhile, both the WHO and China were criticised for their Covid response.

An independent panel commissioned by the WHO said the UN public health body should have declared an international emergency earlier, and also rapped China for not taking public health measures sooner.

On a per capita basis, the islands have higher vaccine rates than many states in the US, said the Marshall Islands Health Secretary in Majuro.

In the first 10 days since receiving a small number of doses to start, the Marshall Islands injected first vaccines to over 600 healthcare workers and front line government employees who work in sea and airports.

The US government is providing the Moderna brand Covid-19 vaccines to the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the US-made jab about a week after approving a Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which is now being distributed.

The US has agreed to purchase 200 million doses of Moderna, and six million may be ready to ship now.

The country has the world's highest numbers of Covid-19 deaths and cases.

It has recorded at least 311,529 deaths and 17,269,542 infections, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta confirmed $75 million had been earmarked to support Pacific and global vaccine access and roll-out. 

“New Zealand is pursuing a portfolio of potential Covid-19 vaccines to ensure we have flexibility and choice in the fast-moving global marketplace. 

"We want to make sure Pacific countries can also access suitable options, and have the support they need to run successful immunisation campaigns,” she says.