Covid-19 deaths, surge prompt people to get vaccinated

A SURGE in Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases and deaths in Eastern Highlands has prompted a large number of people to turn up for vaccination at the Goroka Provincial Hospital.
Covid-19 vaccination assistant staffer at the centre Jeffery Majike said since the hike early this month, many people were coming in for jabs.
He said those people had not been serious about getting vaccinated, but since the surge from Sept 3, there seemed to be a change of mind.
“On Monday and Tuesday, 168 people came to get their jabs.
“We anticipate that more people will be coming before the end of the week,” Majike said.
He said individuals, families, partners, groups, businesses and organisations were turning up each day for jabs.
While numbers were not available immediately, Majike said “quite a number of them” had been vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Eastern Highlands Health Authority (EHPHA) chief executive officer Dr Joseph Apa said there was no other effective way of preventing infection apart from vaccination.
He said the health message was for people to practise the new normal.
“I am glad to see more people getting vaccination. It is good because this will eventually kill the virus and make Eastern Highlands Covid-19-free,” Dr Apa said.