Monday 24 January 2022
Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape has yet again led by example when he received his COVID-19 Booster vaccine today.
Mr Marape was accompanied by Minister for Petroleum, Kerenga Kua, Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Jelta Wong and East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird.
Prime Minister Marape sent another clear message to all Papua New Guineans that COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and available to all citizens , and his Government was committed to ensuring that everyone who wants them – has access.
“People the world over are lining up for Booster shots and it is incumbent on my Government to give our people access to leading science and research in so far as COVID-19 vaccines are concerned.
“The direction from the Pandemic Controller was clear, and was supported and reiterated by the Secretary for Health last week.
“The vaccines are here for our benefit – I urge all our people to get vaccinated,’’ Mr Marape added.
Meanwhile, Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Jelta Wong has received preliminary reports of an impending surge being experienced at the Port Moresby General Hospital with positivity rates over 50 percent last week.
Minister Wong advised that the surge was expected after large gatherings took place over the Christmas period, adding, “Our best defence against COVID-19 is to practice the Niupela Pasin and get vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the total vaccine doses administered as of 20 January 2022 amounted to 391, 266, with 292,091 persons having received at least one dose, while 230,848 people being fully vaccinated.
The total confirmed cases since the outbreak in the country have reached 36, 480, with 35,811 people having recovered from the virus.
There have been 597 confirmed deaths, 706 reported Delta variant cases and one case of Omicron.