COVID vaccine hesitancy leads to child health concerns in PNG

A health worker helps with routine infant immunisations in Papua New Guinea [Photo courtesy of ChildFund]

Widespread distrust and refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is being linked to a rising number of mothers choosing not to bring their children forward for other vaccinations.

And as immunity levels decline in the most populous Pacific Island nation, it is only a matter of time before a devastating disease outbreak occurs, health experts say.