Milne Bay launches tetanus program

Low immunization coverage rates for Papua New Guinea in recent years and a spike in deaths have seen the rollout of tetanus vaccination targeting women and girls of child bearing age between 15 and - 45years old.

In Alotau this morning, they officially launched this rollout for the entire Milne Bay Province this month of June.

UNICEF, which is supporting the Department of Health in this Tetanus rollout for the first 7 provinces, says "deaths of mothers and babies are still a real threat around the world, particularly rampant in developing countries."

PNG has recorded low coverage rates amongst its Western Pacific peers, if not the lowest, and this is the effort ro get coverage back to safer numbers.

At the launch in Alotau today, Senior Physician Dr Gilchrist Oswyn explained its not a new vaccine but they're focused on it because of worrying increases in reported deaths for PNG.

CART1: Dr Gilchrist Oswyn- Senior Physician, MBPHA

00.00 to 00.55mins

Women between the child bearing age of 15 to 45 are encouraged to take the vaccine to keep themselves safe from the deadly but highly preventable bacteria disease largely because of the risks there are for many that may face unsafe child birthing conditions making them prone to it.

CEO of the Milne Bay Health Authority Dr Perista Mamadi launched the program for Milne Bay at the Alotau Town Market today, women lining up for the jab to start off Milne Bay.

They will get a first shot this June, a second one in August and a booster to come in March of 2025.