23pc of mining employees vaccinated, CEO says

AROUND 23 per cent of the Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) employees have been vaccinated for the coronavirus (Covid-19), says OTML managing director and chief executive officer Musje Werror.
“As of (last) Tuesday, 733 staff and contractors have received the vaccine, with 301 fully vaccinated after receiving their second jab,” he said.
“We are doing all we can to protect our workforce, residents and communities.
“We encourage everyone to show their personal duty of care to get tested and vaccinated through our random testing and vaccination roll-out programmes.”
Werror said OTML’s on-going vaccine awareness programme, led by Tabubil hospital, was contributing to the increase in testing and vaccination numbers at Ok Tedi.
“There is still a lot of hesitancy in the workforce,” he said.
“However, with support from OTML and contractors, the vaccination message is getting through.
“The immediate target is to use up the remaining vials before the expiry on July 29 (today).”
OTML’s Covid-19 vaccination roll-out programme began on May 21 at all OTML operation sites, including Tabubil, Kiunga, Bige and Port Moresby.
Since July 5, vaccinations have been carried out daily from Monday to Saturday at Bige, Kiunga and Tabubil.