PNG Expects COVID-19 Vaccine by April
The PNG government has recommended the AstraZeneca Vaccine that's expected to be in the country by next month.
Prime Minister James Marape says the PNG Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee had chosen the vaccine after studying various COVID-19 vaccines.
The vaccine was developed through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access facility and approved by the World Health Organization.
Mr. Marape announced this after meeting with Health Minister Jelta Wong, National Pandemic Controller David Manning, stakeholders and the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee.
Prime Minister Marape in a statement said they are in the process of getting the vaccine across hopefully by April.
He says 70,000 will be sourced from India and over 200, 000 will be sourced through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Prime Minister however, explains that due to limited number of vaccines available , vaccination will not be compulsory and will be targeted at persons above the age of 50 , with underlying health conditions and more importantly , the health workers.
Marape stressed that this is a serious community transmission and they are now looking at isolation strategies and how best to look after health workers while processes for bringing in the vaccine are completed before the vaccine arrives in the country.
Marape stated that he would not be taking the vaccine ahead of those who really need ,except to show Papua New Guineans that the vaccine can boost their immune system to fight COVID- 19.
Statement/NBC/PNG Today
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