Polio vaccinations to be provided by hospitals

By GYNNIE KERO
POLIO vaccination will be provided in all provincial hospitals and some private hospitals, according to Health Secretary Pascoe Kase.
The Health Department and the World Health Organisation confirmed an outbreak of the poliomyelitis virus in a community in Morobe last month. In response to the outbreak, countries such as Australia now require proof of poliomyelitis vaccination when people apply for visa. In a statement yesterday, Kase said the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, also called the yellow booklet, must be completed by a health practitioner upon vaccination, signed and with an official stamp of the institution where the vaccine was administered.
“It is important that health practitioners understand, comply with the requirements of completing the certificate to ensure validity and ensure that visa applicants and/or their parents/carers are provided sufficient information to enable valid consent for the vaccination, including the reason for the poliomyelitis vaccination requirement for visa applicants.”
“For public hospitals, the recommended service fee is K12.50 to cover for the vaccine and the International Certificate of Vaccination. For private clinics and hospitals, please check with your health provider on their fees,” he said.
He said to avoid wastage, people should consider allocating certain days for the vaccination of travellers (example three days in a week) to ensure the maximum the use of the 10-dose vials of vaccine.
“Furthermore, each traveller should take responsibility to check with the respective foreign embassies and missions of their requirements when applying for visa to ensure you comply forthwith,” he said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Immigration New Zealand told The National yesterday they did not require visa applicants to have vaccinations as part of their medical.
“However, it is recommended that polio vaccinations are considered and PNG visa applicants should discuss this with their clinic.
MFAT has advised that New Zealand travellers to and from polio infected areas should ensure that they are fully vaccinated against polio. This advice is in addition to any other travel specific vaccinations that may be required for the destination.”