No Fees on COVID-19 Vaccines as Role out continues in PNG

PNG National Pandemic Controller David Manning has issued a directive to both private and public health facilities not to charge fees when immunizing any person against COVID-19.

Mr Manning issued a directive that comes into effect this week states that no fees shall be charged under the Papua New Guinea Government National Vaccination program.

further directives have also been issued regarding the authorization for COVID-19 vaccination for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and foreign governments in PNG.

Under the directive, no private or public health facility shall charge any fee or require any payment when immunizing any person against COVID-19, with COVID-19 vaccinations to be administered by the Provincial Health Authorities and Port Moresby General Hospital.

No health facilities are permitted to administer COVID-19 vaccinations unless approved in writing by the Controller and subject to the conditions imposed by the Controller in the written approval.

According to the controllers, failure by an individual or organization to comply with this direction is an offence under the National Pandemic Act 2020, with Non-Compliance resulting in a fine not exceeding K50,000.00 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

On the other hand, the Bougainville Department of Health is authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccination under the Papua New Guinea Government National Vaccination program.

Manning says the Bougainville Department of Health is also authorized to enter into agreements with private, non-government and public organizations for the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccinations in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

It must also ensure that no private or public health facility shall charge any fee

Foreign governments with diplomatic missions in PNG may provide COVID-19 vaccinations, subject to certain conditions.

Vaccinations are to be done on the grounds of the foreign government’s diplomatic mission and are provided by medical personnel registered in PNG or by the relevant authority in the relevant foreign government’s country.

Vaccinations are only provided to citizens or permanent residents of the foreign government’s country, and vaccinations used must have received an emergency use exemption in Papua New Guinea from the Minister of Health & HIV AIDS.

Both Directions came into effect as of today and will be continued in force during the period of the declaration of the pandemic or as amended in writing by the Controller.

NBC News/ PNG Today

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