‘It’s just like flu’: misinformation and fear hamper Papua New Guinea’s Covid vaccine rollout

More than three months after the first vaccine was administered, less than 0.6% of the population have received their first dose

Three months since Papua New Guinea launched its Covid vaccine rollout, just 60,000 people - or 0.6% of the population - have received their first dose, with many people hesitant due to misinformation and fears around the vaccine.

Despite a recent surge in cases that has overwhelmed the already rickety health system, just over 2,800 people have received their second dose.