Improve awareness on Covid-19 vaccines

The National Letters

THE Coronavirus (Covid-19) is real.
It is not different from Polio virus, Hepatitis B and Tetanus.
It is an airborne disease and people should strictly follow Niupela Pasin measures.
Why are people scared of taking the vaccine?
It may be because of religious beliefs, contrary advice from medical experts on social media and no proper in-depth medical explanation or awareness about Covid-19 vaccines.
My advice to the Covid-19 response team in Papua New Guinea is to focus more attention on conducting comprehensive awareness about the vaccines.
I know that a good number of people will get vaccinated if they are educated well about the vaccines.
These are some questions that remain unanswered in people’s mind”

  • WHAT is contained in Covid-19 vaccines?;
  • HOW will the contents fight the virus?;
  • IS there a microchip in the vaccine?;
  • WHY are there two shots for AstraZeneca?;
  • WHAT are the side effects?;
  • ARE the vaccines safe for people with low blood pressure and other underlying medical conditions?; and,
  • WHAT should people watch out for after taking the vaccine?

Answering these questions in public will help save thousands of lives.
The awareness I mean here is to find the most effective method of relaying messages to the majority people.
The message should be clear, simple and convincing.
Distributing pamphlet and public awareness in daily newspapers can be an effective way of disseminating information.
Television and radio can be used as well. Stop forcing people to get vaccinated without convincing them first.
We should be effective in developing strategies that will convince people to get vaccinated.
What can we do to persuade people and build trust in the vaccine?
It seems to me that people are scared of the Covid-19 and the vaccine.
Let us educate them. The literacy level in the country is poor and even most literate people do not do extensive reading.
Not all of us are medical experts, but I believe we can do our part in educating the public with factual and vital information.
I appeal to responsible authorities to come out and clear the air surrounding Covid-19 vaccines.

Kunai,
NCD