People getting vaccinated despite negative info: Official

PEOPLE are getting vaccinated in Western Highlands despite negative information on social media against the coronavirus (Covid-19), a senior health official says.
Western Highlands health authority (PHA) chief executive officer Jane Holden said while many people were hesitant and fearful of the vaccine, it was encouraging to see more coming forward to receive a dose.
She said information on the side effects and other issues with the vaccine was influencing people, but they needed to realise that the vaccine was the best protection for them.
Holden said as of yesterday, a total of 1,745 people had received their first doses while another 436 turned up for their second doses and the numbers were rising.
She said the PHA still wanted to see more people coming in to get vaccinated but the numbers so far were good.
Holden said there had been no reported adverse reaction to the vaccine and the chances of this happening were very small.
She said Mt Hagen rural local level government president and former deputy governor Wai Rapa had taken the lead and got vaccinated and the provincial health authority was holding an awareness session tomorrow.
Holden said she hoped more leaders from the province would lead by example and get vaccinated.
She said Governor Paias Wingti had been vaccinated and hoped people took note of his example.
“The vaccine will stop people from getting ill or dying from Covid- 19.”