Jab reports vital: Manning

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
NATIONAL Pandemic Response Controller David Manning wants all provinces to provide better daily Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination reports to the National Control Centre (NCC).
Manning told The National that the daily reports were needed to compile an up-to-date vaccination report from around the country.
The vaccination rate rose from 0.1 per cent in April to 9.8 percent in October. And in those seven months, 290,513 people were vaccinated.
“I believe it could be higher if the provinces send through their reports (daily),” Manning said.
“Some provinces have been sending their reports once or twice a week. Then the NCC will not receive a report for five days. We miss out on a lot of vital information that is needed.”
He said Manus, West Sepik and Milne Bay had reported Covid-19 Delta variant cases but only sent a one-day report of their vaccination programme.
“Western, Central, NCD, Northern, Morobe, Madang, New Ireland, West New Britain and Hela have not presented their vaccination report for five days,” Manning said.
Manning said only Eastern Highlands had been up to date with its reporting.
The National Capital District has 44,253 people fully vaccinated – about 48 per cent coverage of its target of 92,312.
“The ENB target is 77,059 with only 2,167 fully vaccinated – around 3 percent,” he said.
“Western Highlands was given a target of 90,838 but so far only 2,850 had been fully vaccinated.
“Morobe has been given a target of 189,992 but only around 8,803 has been fully vaccinated.
“We need more people to come to forward for the vaccination.”