Vaccine was part of the national COVID-19 response strategy, says Prime Minister James Marape. Mr Marape said this today when launching the National Rollout of COVID-19 vaccine at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby. He said the national strategy had from the beginning been always 'defence' against the spread of the virus and thanked those who made it possible for PNG to have access to vaccines, particularly WHO and the Australian Government through its Prime Minister who made sure that PNG joined the cue for vaccines. He said COVID-19 vaccine was now available, but it "still remains voluntary because no one will force anyone to be vaccinated''. The PM said he was privileged to be the first person to be vaccinated. He said those who do not believe that COVID-19 is real can find out from those who had it as well as the loved ones of those who died due to COVID-19. He said COVID-19 was a real threat that was affecting lives and the economy and must be addressed.
PNG has reported so far 11,273 people who had COVID-19 and 121 deaths. The National Rollout of the vaccination program will consist of three phases. The first phase which kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, will cover the health workers and essential non-health workers. The second phase which is from July to December is for those aged 45 years and older, while the third phase scheduled for 2022 and 2023 is for everyone, from ages 18 years and above. Mr Marape also pointed out that as a Christian he made a decision to be vaccinated based on research that convinced him that this was the right thing to do. He also said Israel was at the beginning reporting 10,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases daily but after vaccinating 60 percent of its population, it has two days ago reported only 73 cases a day. This, he said, is an evidence that the vaccination program is helping to contain the pandemic in that country. #"So roll up your sleeves and get yourself vaccinated,'' he said. Next : PNG Police Boss Manning Calls Upon Leaders To Take Ownership Of Ethnic Clashes Comments are closed.
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