Vaccine ‘powerful tool’

THE Covid-19 vaccine is the most powerful tool to fight the pandemic, according to Chinese medical team’s Dr Liu Zhenqui.
He said more than 5,700 doses of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines had been administered in the country, showing that the uptake was good.
Dr Liu, the Chinese medical team assistant captain and consultant neonatologist, said as of Tuesday, 5,786 doses had been administered by Chinese citizens, Papua New Guineans and
others.
The Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) began using it last week.
“If more sites are approved by the Government, the number of people receiving the Sinopharm vaccine will increase,” Dr Liu said.
“The Chinese medical team supported the PMGH vaccination team last week.
“But this week, the PMGH team (are running) the vaccination programme on their own and they have done well.”
The PMGH vaccination station opens from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
The National talked to some people who received their first dose on Tuesday about the vaccine. Here are what some said:

Peter Liu:
The vaccine is important for the people here because some countries are affected by variants of the Covid-19 which is dangerous. The vaccine provides the protection needed. We need to take the vaccine not only for our self but to look after our family and our country.

Dr Joy Travertz:
It has been six months since I got infected with the Covid-19. Becauseof the new strains, I felt that I should get some sort of vaccine. So I decided to take the Sinopharm vaccine. Any vaccine is better than nothing. The vaccine boost your immunity and it prevents you from getting ill which can be fatal.

Ismael Ayu:
I work in the construction industry among a lot of people. Therefore, it is important that I get the vaccine to protect myself and others. Maybe in the future, I may want to travel on a plane. So I am getting vaccinated now.

Henry Norm:
Leaders are taking the vaccine and for me, it’s enough encouragement to get it. I’m not sure if the vaccine will provide the protection I need, but, if it is working for others then it should work for me too. Given that there are other variants of the Covid-19, I think it is so important to be vaccinated. I flew over from West Sepik with my colleagues to get the Sinopharm vaccine.

Michael Andrew:
I got the vaccine and have not felt any side-effect. It is important to get the vaccine which provides the needed protection. People will make their own decision but they can be assured that it will be alright to get the Sinopharm vaccine.
Manuel Liyang:
I am getting the Covid-19 vaccine because of the protection it offers. When we are protected, we are preventing the transmission of the virus. Another important reason is for travel because I have to be fully vaccinated to travel to my country and back.
Venlorenz Nocon:
As more variants of the Covid-19 are being detected, I think it is important right now that we get the vaccine. We need to protect ourselves from the Covid-19 and its variants.
Min Min Tun:
I am afraid of getting the Covid-19 and if the vaccine can guarantee some protection, then I should get it. It is for my own protection. A lot of people are infected with the Covid-19. I don’t want that to happen to me.