Safety concerns by authorities in Papua New Guinea over China’s Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine have delayed the arrival of 100,000 doses  to the country.

The Chinese Government in February this year donated 100,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines to help the country’s anti-pandemic efforts. https://www.thenational.com.pg/china-will-donate-100000-doses-of-covid-19-vaccines-xue/

Post Courier reports  PNG Health Department secretary, Dr Osborne Liko justified the delay to compliance with regulatory processes.

He said the doses would arrive as soon as the authorities fix it.

“We need to mitigate all risks; hence, legal advice on regulations, and approval authority for the safety of vaccines. More importantly to mitigate indemnity and liabilities of vaccine,” the newspaper quotes Dr Liko.

Additionally, the Indian Government has also donated 132,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to the country.

Further, the Australian Government has committed K299.76 million (US$111 million) to PNG over three years for Covid-19 vaccination.

This commitment comes under Australia’s anti-pandemic initiative to support Asia-Pacific governments.

Australia has also deployed health and medical workers to boost its assistance to help PNG break widespread community transmission.

International SOS is managing and administrating 8,000 doses of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine Australia donated to PNG. Its website describes the company as the world’s leading health and security services.

Of this, they jabbed over 800 doses mostly on health workers. This is apart from Prime Minister James Marape, other leaders and vulnerable citizens.

The surge of Covid-19 cases is continuing. PNG has recorded 8602 confirmed cases and the death toll stands at 69.

Meanwhile, the European Union,  Japanese and US Governments are amongst other international partners who have assisted PNG fight the surge in Covid-19 cases.https://pngsun.com/2021/02/05/japanese-loan-to-png/