THE current debate on social media whether the AstraZeneca vaccine for Covid-19 is safe for Papua New Guineans to take remains a lot to be desired.
What seemed interesting is that we have politicians and learned physicians going up against each other over the roll-out of the vaccine in the country. This is a clear indication of lack of coordination amongst government institutions directly involved in the fight against Covid-19.
A fine example of this is the recent call by Madang Governor Peter Yama inviting his Madang MP Bryan Kramer and two senior physicians, Professor Peter Siba and Dr Glen Mola to a public debate on Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccines rollout in the country as per Prime Minister James Marape’s announcement recently.
“In the interest of my people of Madang Province and Papua New Guinea, I am calling on Professor Peter Siba, Hon. Bryan Kramer, Professor Glen Mola and other interested Papua New Guineans to an open debate, as suggested by Professor Siba.
“I am inviting these gentlemen to come to Madang to debate at the Divine Word University and I am willing to sponsor the debate. Come and speak the truth and only truth will set you free,” Mr Yama said.
Professor Siba however in his earlier social media post (Facebook) has openly made it clear that he will take on board Mr Kramer and Professor Glen Mola on a public debate on Covid-19 vaccines rollout in Papua New Guinea.
There is also too much literature of conspiracy theories of Covid-19 vaccines which adds more confusion and animosity in people’s minds.
Similarly, many people have expressed dissatisfaction on the government’s plan to have Covid-19 vaccines rolled out including the Opposition Leader Belden Namah challenging Prime Minister James Marape to stop the vaccine roll-out.
The general public including some members of parliament have raised concerns that the government and its responsible authorities must do public awareness on Covid-19 vaccine efficacy.
What seems evident is that there is no coordination in terms of getting the right information to people on the effects of Covid-19 vaccines. What target population or age group should be exposed to the vaccine and is it compulsory? What should we do after taking the vaccine? Is it just one-of vaccine intake for Covid-19 for the rest of our lives? Is it going to become a routine immunization exercise just like a range of other vaccine-preventable diseases like polio, measles, hepatitis B and tetanus? These are pertinent questions that need to be answered.
Our Pacific Island neighbours Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia including Australia and New Zealand and Smaller Pacific Island States have taken the challenge with great strides in the vaccination exercise. What is that they have that we don’t. Their Prime Ministers have been the first to be immunized with AstraZeneca vaccine thus showing leadership where it matters.
However in PNG, public hesitancy over getting vaccinated is significant, and this is a definite indication that the chief front liner in Prime Minister Marape must take the lead just like what his counterparts in the Pacific have done.
Marape has been talking a lot; he needs to put his words in to action and lead by example so all can see and be assured. Perhaps, what needs to be done now is for him to take the first jab of the 8,000 AstraZeneca vaccines that arrived in the country from Australia almost a week ago.
As the Prime Minister of the country, we urge him to be at the forefront with the frontline health workers from Port Moresby General Hospital, who would be queuing up this week in a designated location to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.
This action will no doubt instill public confidence and perhaps put to rest the many unwanted name calling and debates regarding the vaccine roll-out program.