THE Prime Minister James Marape has taken his second Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine at the Morauta House in Port Moresby today.
Upon taking the jab Marape announced that the Covid-19 statistics continue to increase as of March 23, 2020 when PNG got its first case introduced in the country.
He said there are total of 16,621 infected cases where 15,942 of which have been recovered, 515 remains positive based on test and unfortunately 164 Papua New Guineans have died.
He also cleared the rumors about him been sick after taking his first jab and said he is healthy and ready to take his second jab.
“Let me tell everyone, some people speculated that I’ve been sick as a result of this. There are lot of fake news out on social media and the community.
“For me as a person who took my first shot and now coming for my second shot, my immunity is boosted and I have the nursery cover to live and work as PM and as a Public servant in our country,” Marape said.
He said we now have over 100,000 vaccines available in the country and the government is working with partners like the Australia Government on bringing in some more.
“Our people need to get vaccinated. The vaccine is available and if you don’t get yourself vaccinated and you fall sick and die maybe, you have yourself to blame because the government is doing everything possible to make vaccines available. The Government is not imposing on everyone to take but it’s a choice that you have to make,” Marape said.
Pandemic Controller David Manning also took his second jab to complete the dose and to be fit to work and minimize the spread of Covid-19 in PNG.
Moreover, Prime Minister James Marape also encouraged the public servants who had their first shot with him to follow up and take their second jab to complete the dose.