The Australian government will be delivering the AstraZeneca vaccines for frontline health workers when it arrives this afternoon in Port Moresby.
This comes at the request of the PNG government in response to a concerning spike in COVID-19 cases in the country’s health system.
The Australian government has agreed to a request for assistance and will partner with Papua New Guinea on a comprehensive support package to help it respond to the crisis.
Australia is deploying a forward team of three AUSMAT (Australia Medical Assistance Team) health specialists to Port Moresby. The specialists will work with Papua New Guinea health authorities on infection control, triage and emergency management and public health measures.
The AUSMAT will follow quarantine arrangements agreed with the Papua New Guinea Government.
The flight will include the first delivery of vaccines for frontline health workers, with an initial rollout for the National Capital District. Future priorities will be determined with Papua New Guinea’s Government.
In addition to AUSMAT specialists, today’s RAAF flight will also deliver three mobile storage units, which will support the vaccine rollout, and five community tents, which will provide multiple functions including triaging facilities, reception centres and clinic spaces.
