25 Jan 2022

COVID-19 booster shots have been approved for Papua New Guinea.

The Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee (MESAC) to government, announced this through a directive from the Pandemic Controller’s office on January 13th.

PNG has three COVID-19 vaccines being administered in the country – Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm.

The approved boosters are doses of AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson to be administered from 2 to 6 months after having received the initial doses of the vaccines.

Prime Minister James Marape also sending a clear message to the people of Papua New Guinea that COVID-19 vaccinations were safe and available to all Papua New Guineans, and that his government was committed to ensuring that everyone who wants them – has access.

The Prime Minister joined his fellow Members of Parliament Ministers Kerenga Kua and Jelta Wong and East Sepik Governor Allan Bird to receive the COVID-19 booster.

“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,” said Prime Minister Marape.

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 per cent in the past week. Minister Wong advised that the surge was expected after large gatherings took place over the Christmas period. Minister Wong further reiterated that our best defense against COVID-19 is to practice the Niupela Pasin and get vaccinated.