Friday 21 August 2020
Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Hon. Jelta Wong further reiterated this afternoon that the National Department of Health has not approved any vaccines to be trialled in Papua New Guinea.

Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Hon. Jelta Wong
“I have fielded questions over the last couple of days about trials being carried out in Papua New Guinea.
“Firstly, let me say that any trial that could potentially be rolled out in Papua New Guinea must first be tabled and scrutinized by the Medical Research Advisory Committee (MRAC) through the National Department of Health.
“I would like to go on record stating that no such request has been made to MRAC to consider any trials for a COVID-19 vaccine in Papua New Guinea.
“I can categorically say that no trials are being conducted in country and most importantly on Papua New Guineans,” said Minister Wong.
Details of the vaccine used on 48 employees of Ramu Nickel on the 10 August in China prior to arriving in Port Moresby on 13 August are still not known.
Controller of the National Pandemic Response David Manning has formally written to the Chinese Government through Chinese Ambassador Xue Bing demanding more information.
There are currently 6 vaccines that have reached stage 3 of clinical trials globally. There are four stages in total.
“We are awaiting an official position of all trials by the technical expertise made available to us through the World Health Organization,” Minister Wong said.
Media contact: Chief Superintendent Dominic D. Kakas, BEM, DPS
COVID-19 Media & Public Information Joint Agency Task Force
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