By HERON KANEMA
Many people have expressed dissatisfaction on the government’s plan to have Covid-19 vaccines rolled out in the country.
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.
Despite efforts by the PNG government and the Australian government to bring in Covid-19 vaccines and roll them out in the country, people are curious, should there be any side effects of Covid-19 vaccines.
This has caught them in suspense to either take the vaccines or not. The concerns were expressed in social media and other media platforms even prior to the arrival of the vaccines on PNG shores.
Prime Minister James Marape however, explained the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines will stop the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
He added that the initial batch of 8,000 AstraZeneca vaccines will be offered to frontline health workers in the National Capital District.
“It is not compulsory but our health workers will be asked to take it. If you are a health worker and you feel that you are exposed and if you want to take it, please do so,” he urged.
Meanwhile, the opposition leader and Member for Vanimo Green, Belden Namah has opposed the government’s rollout of Covid vaccines and called on the Prime Minister to immediately suspend it until all questions surrounding the potential serious side effects are fully resolved.
He made this call after reports from some overseas countries revealing the side effects of Covid-19 vaccines.
“I made this call as most countries in Europe and India have suspended the roll out of this particular vaccine after early reports of blood clotting. I do not want to see our government exposing our citizens to potential serious harm and offering them up as laboratory rats and gene-pigs for further testing of these vaccines,” he said.
Member for Pomio Elias Kapavore has raised serious concern on his Facebook wall, demanding an independent opinion from the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) on Covid-19 vaccines before they are administered to the public.
“A serious concern however is that the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) has not come out publically on their views and positions on Covid-19 vaccine. This should be the principal institution conducting health research and giving advice to the government on the vaccines and treatment in the country,” he said.
As a matter of public convenience, the IMR is yet to come out publically and respond to this claim.
Also Madang Governor, Peter Yama also said funds for Covid-19 are loaned and money must be given to the provinces to fight Covid.
“We are all in this fight and we should be equipped adequately instead of having the bulk of this funding circulating in Port Moresby.”