Australian Government to roll out 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Pacific island nations

The PNG National Department of Health announced this week that Covid-19 vaccines are now available to those over 18 years in PNG.
The Australian Government has also said it will roll out 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Pacific island nations in the next 12 months.
Australia’s Minister for the Pacific and International Development this week made his first trip to Papua New Guinea since taking on the portfolio.
The Minister was given an exemption from PNG’s 21 day quarantine rule to allow the visit and he defended the timing.
“What we’re doing is under the very strictest of circumstances under PNG health rules, ensuring that we absolutely have all of the protections in place,” he said.
He’s spent the past few days meeting with PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape and other ministers, but also visited key projects Australia has funded, including the $AUD 230 million expansion of the Angau Hospital in Lae.
‘The Angau hospital is the largest Australian investment in PNG since independence, so it is something we can be very, very proud of and a great asset for Papua New Guinea to have,’ Minister Seselja said.
‘This significant health facility which is able to provide a much greater level of service than perhaps many other areas have experienced in the past’.
An audio interview with the Minister is included at the following link: https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/australias-minister-for-the-pacific-makes-first-visit-to-png/13434928