Covid jab rate very low: Esorom

By MELYNE BAROI
PAPUA New Guinea (PNG)’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination rate is still very low after more than two years, Pandemic Deputy Controller Dr Daoni Esorom says.
“Misinformation and disinformation are still working against vaccination acceptance,” he added.
“Despite providing testing kits to all the provinces, the National Control Centre (NCC) has recorded a total of only 270,674 fully vaccinated people nationwide this year.
“This is only 5.3 per cent of the total population. This means many are still reluctant to accept vaccination,” he added.
Esorom said NCC was concerned about the Covid-19-related types of information being shared everywhere and in various mediums.
“Covid-19 vaccination is similar to the immunisations that we get as babies but the difference is that Covid-19 vaccination is for adults,”he added.
Esorom said many people still needed to know more about Covid-19 and the vaccinations.
“Vaccination is the only way for one protect himself or herself from getting seriously ill, or even death,” he said.
He reminded the public continue adhering to the Niupela Pasin protocol during the general election as mass gathering would raise the rate of Covid-19 infections.
“We advise everyone to mask-up and sanitise during the general election. The best is to get the jab and stay safe,” he said.