AstraZeneca only vaccine to use: Manning

The National National
David Manning

POLICE Commissioner and National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning has issued a directive authorising only the AstraZeneca vaccination to be administered in the vaccination roll-out programme in Papua New Guinea. Manning directed that no vaccine except AstraZeneca should be administered under the PNG Covid-19 national vaccination programme unless authorised in writing by the controller. He said in a statement last week that foreign governments with diplomatic missions in Papua New Guinea may only provide Covid-19 vaccinations to their staff within the mission (excluding PNG citizens); permanent residents to their countries; and their citizens. Manning further directed that:

  • VACCINATIONS are to be provided by medical personnel registered in PNG or by the relevant authority in the relevant foreign government’s country;
  • VACCINATION used by foreign governments must have received an emergency use exemption in PNG from the Minister of Health & HIV/AIDS as per section 4 of the Medicines and Cosmetics Act 1999; and,
  • A FOREIGN government may provide a vaccination to a person who is not covered by the approved categories listed in this directive, if that person has approval in writing from the Minister of Health & HIV/AIDS.

This direction came into effect on Thursday (June 3) and continues in force during the period of the declaration of a pandemic or as amended in writing by the Controller.