Clinics open for Covid jabs

The National Main Stories

By LULU MARK
THE AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination in the National Capital District (NCD) will be conducted in urban clinics from today to allow easy access for people, an official says.
NCD Health Authority acting chief executive officer Dr Maru Garo is encouraging people to get the jab so that at least 80 per cent of the population are vaccinated to achieve herd immunity before the next wave or outbreak emerges.
The first case of the Covid-19 Delta variant in PNG was confirmed in Port Moresby last week.
In addition to the Rita Flynn vaccination facility, a team will spend a few days at a clinic before moving in Moresby South, Moresby North West and Moresby North East until all the clinics are covered.
He said the next wave of infection could be managed only if the herd immunity level was reached.
The NCD has a population of around one million confined in a small area.
It means that the population density is high compared to the other parts of the country.
More than 14,000 people have been vaccinated at Rita Flynn, with between 300 and 400 coming daily.
Most of them – 90 per cent – are company employees.
“We realise that the unemployed and people in the settlements, suburbs and communities are not coming,” he said.
They also discovered at Rita Flynn that:

  • ONLY a few people are arriving from the communities;
  • HEALTH workers who are most at risk are not getting the jab; and,
  • PEOPLE with comorbidities/underlying medical conditions are also not coming forward.

“We are (therefore) taking the vaccination to the communities (by) increasing static vaccination sites to reach everyone,” he said.
Dr Garo said vaccination at Rita Flynn was going well using up vaccines due to expire on July 29.
The schedule for the vaccination teams is:
Moresby South: Kaugere Clinic (July 21-28), Badili Clinic (July 29-Aug 4), Lawes Rd Clinic (Aug 5-9), Taurama Clinic (Aug 10-12), Gereka Clinic (Aug 13-15), Pari Clinic (Aug 16-20), Vabukori Clinic (Aug 21-23).
Moresby North West: Gerehu Hospital (July 21-27), St Paul Clinic (July 28-30), UPNG Clinic Aug 2-4), Tokarara Clinic (Aug 5-8), St Therese Clinic (Aug 9-13), Morata Clinic (Aug 14-16), Murray Barracks Clinic (Aug 19-21) and PNGIPA (Aug 22).
Moresby North East: 6-Mile Clinic (July 21-26), 9-Mile Clinic (July 27-28) ATS Clinic (July 28-Augt 2), Gordon Clinic (Aug 3-5), PNGEI Clinic (Augt 6-9), Bomana Police College (Aug 10-12), Bomana CIS (Aug 13-15).