PNG joins queue for vaccine

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE country has joined the queue of countries who have signed to get the Covid-19 vaccine which is expected in the first half of next year, says National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning.
Manning confirmed that he had signed the document to ensure PNG was on the list of countries to access the vaccine.
“I have signed a document provided by the World Health Organisation, also signed by the Secretary for Health, to receive the vaccination,” Manning said.
“We are now on the list to receive the vaccine once it is made available to the rest of the world.”
Manning said the new normal would continue.
While no timeline has been given as to when the vaccine will be made available here, he said the registration of the country to receive the vaccine “is an acceptance that we want the vaccination”.
“We are not aware of when the vaccination programme will start in the Pacific,” he said.
He thanked Australia for ensuring “we were part of the whole process”.
“We have a number of options on how we can secure the vaccine but we are working with the WHO to ensure we receive the vaccine,” he said.
“We will continue with the new normal and its implementation until we vaccinate the whole country.”
American Samoa, a territory of the United States of America, began its vaccination programme this week – the first Pacific island nation to do so.