4,000 receive first dose of Sinopharm vaccine: Official

By LULU MARK
NEARLY 4,000 people have received the first dose of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine so far in the National Capital District, with more turning up for vaccination daily, according to a doctor.
Dr Liu Zhenqui, the Chinese medical team assistant captain and consultant neonatologist, said more than 3,000 Chinese citizens had been vaccinated.
And since last Tuesday, hundreds of PNG citizens and other nationals had also received the vaccine.
The vaccination station at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) opened on Monday with 60 people receiving the jab, followed by 120 people yesterday.
The vaccination programme is run by the hospital’s vaccination team supported by the Chinese medical team.
Opening hours from Monday to Friday are between 2pm and 4pm.
“We will support the hospital team for a couple of weeks and then they will take over from there while we focus on our roles at the hospital,” he said.
“All vaccines are safe and will help protect people.
“They will prevent people from getting sick, hospitalisation and death.
“Anyone between 18 and 60 can get the vaccine.”
He welcomed the good turnout in Port Moresby.
“The Chinese medical team at PMGH is honoured and happy to help in the vaccination programme with the Chinese-donated vaccines,” he said.
He said the Delta variant was more serious and reminded everyone that vaccination was the best defence.
“When your body is strong you will be able to fight any disease.”