Bougainville receives COVID-19 vaccine
Covid-19 vaccines for Bougainville have arrived yesterday.
This is according to the Health Secretary Mr Clement Totavun.
Speaking at a press conference in Buin yesterday, he said that the decision to roll out these vaccines in Bougainville will be decided by the Bougainville government through the Bougainville Executive Council.
"I have prepared a policy paper to be presented at the BEC tomorrow," he said.
The BEC will deliberate on the Covid-19 vaccine and the policy paper will provide technical factual information on the types of vaccines and it's benefits.
Mr Totavun said if the paper is endorsed then they will rollout the vaccines throughout Bougainville as of next month as other parts of PNG will also be rolling out the vaccines in May.
Asked if the vaccine had any side effects that the people should know about, Mr Totavun explained that all vaccines did have side effects that were very minor. He said these minor effects were the cause of new substances taken into the body and would include effects such as hot body and pain.
Mr Totavun further explained that the vaccine is essential as it:
- helps to reduce transmission of infection and infectious diseases and
- controls the transmission of infection and prevents deaths caused by Covid-19.
The vaccines once endorsed by the BEC will be used on frontline health workers first, followed by partners and others.
Vaccination is not mandatory and will only be administered on persons above 18 years of age.
Meanwhile, Covid-19 cases in Bougainville is increasing with over 300 confirmed cases, out of which 298 cases have recovered and 36 are active cases. Of the 36, six are currently admitted at the hospital.
Mr Totavun has appealed to the people of Bougainville to continue to observe and follow public health measures by: - wearing masks when in crowded places
-washing of hands regularly
- keep a safe distance from others and
- simply stay at home.
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