Gulf starts vaccination

THE Gulf health authority launched the first stage of its Covid-19 vaccination rollout programme in Kerema on Thursday. This marked Gulf as the 22nd, and last province, to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. The programme was witnessed by representatives from the Health Department and supporting non-government organisations such as the World Health Organisation, Unicef, Oil Search Foundation, Touching the Untouchables, the Gulf government officials and its health authority. Gulf health authority chief executive officer Dr Paul Wari encouraged frontliners to take vaccine. Dr Wari said that the vaccine was not mandatory. With the rollout confirmed, provincial Covid-19 vaccination campaign leader Sr Ekaloa Mefaramu gave a brief run-down and administration of the vaccine. She said with the team of trained health workers now ready for the programme, all districts in the provoince would receive vaccines according to the data collected. “Our team of health workers are now ready to distribute vaccines into all districts, into local LLGs, rural and communities,” she said. Sr Mefaramu said the vaccination was specified to protect all frontline workers so that they’re able to provide health services to the people of Gulf. After addressing the public, Dr Wari and his colleagues went on to receive their first dose of the vaccine. The number of cases in Gulf is increasing.