Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says as they prepare for quarantine free travel to the Northern Division, the current vaccine coverage data indicates a need for the Health Ministry to provide additional resources to the Nabouwalu Hospital to prepare for the possible escalation of COVID-19 cases and adverse events.
Dr. Fong says the whole-of-government community engagement initiative will be escalated in the North with particular attention made to the Bua Subdivision and this will include a reduction of the dose interval to 6 weeks.
He says the second dose vaccination coverage for the Bua subdivision remains a concern based on the Health Ministry’s vaccination coverage data.
Dr Fong adds this will have to be a key strategy in remodelling the health service provision to ensure community surveillance through a test, trace, and track protocols are being escalated to help them identify and contain any outbreak early.
Dr. Fong say they will also need to ensure that registration and line listing of vulnerable persons especially in poorly vaccinated areas are done, preparations for the monitoring of positive cases and vulnerable persons to ensure better access to appropriate care plans has been made and clinical care protocols for the severe disease has been reviewed and strengthened.
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