Porgera mine to continue Covid-19 vaccination programme

THE Porgera Mine in Enga will continue its Covid-19 vaccination programme for employees and contractors who are part of its care and maintenance team.
The Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) said when the AstraZeneca vaccine was rolled out at the mine site on May 21, 23 volunteer employees and contractors received the jab.
To date, 162 employees and contractors have been vaccinated.
So far, two employees have received their second shots after being vaccinated initially at their point of hire and the first 23 volunteers were expected to receive their second jab next month.
As a part of the company’s commitment to encourage employees to get vaccinated, an incentive programme was launched this week that gave K50 cash to employees after receiving their first jab and entry to a monthly draw for a K500 voucher.
This has seen the number of employees and contractors receiving the jab increase, with our highest weekly number of 34 vaccinated employees.
The vaccine is being administered weekly by the mine medical team and the rest of the workforce are being encouraged to get the jab.
PJV chief medical officer Dr Isaac Asa said it had been a challenge to encourage employees due to misinformation and conspiracy theories, but he was encouraged to see the number of employees and contractors coming.
“We usually get on average 14-15 employees on vaccination day, but since the beginning of the incentive programme that has doubled,” he said.
“Many employees and contractors are still hesitant to get the vaccine due to misinformation and conspiracy theories.”
PJV said it would continue to educate and encourage all of its employees and contractors to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their work colleagues and their families from the Covid-19, with the incentive programme the latest initiative the mine management team has implemented.