Govt, WHO working to secure Covid-19 vaccines

By LULU MARK
THE distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines around the world looks promising and efforts are being made to secure the first allocation for Papua New Guinea, an official says.
Health secretary Dr Osborne Liko said the Government, World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners were trying to secure the vaccines for the country.
Liko said while the vaccine alone would not end the pandemic, it would strengthen the response to the Covid-19 when used in combination with other public health measures.
Liko said the advice of the Health Department and WHO on the vaccine through the Covax facility established by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, had been submitted to the National Executive Council (NEC).
He said part B of the Covax facility agreement was about indemnification.
This meant that the manufacturers or suppliers would not be indemnified because the vaccines were produced due to the seriousness of the coronavirus.
Gavi had set up the facility with a compensation support which PNG became a part of.
“So that document is before our Government through the NEC to give us the endorsement of the proven evidence of candidate vaccines,” he said.
When the Government endorses it, the department will distribute the vaccines.
There are four vaccines considered through the international national regulatory authority.
They are available in the United States, UK and other countries and considered emergency use authority (EUA) vaccines.
Liko said frontline health care workers, older people, people with comorbidities, and those working in the extractive industry who flew in and out of the country would be considered under the UAE vaccines.
He said the PNG national regulatory authority would ensure the quality control and assess safety, efficacy and quality of the vaccine before approving for use in the country.