There appears to be three segments in the PNG population with regards to COVID-19 vaccination.

Group 1: These people want the vaccine and are prepared to be vaccinated. They understand the importance of vaccination. They also understand and appear to have some insight into vaccine development process and know the difference between “emergency approval” vs normal vaccine approval process.

Group 2: These people are the nay Sayers. They do not want the vaccine at all costs. Even if means mean letting a few people die. And they seem to think that COVID-19 will kill mostly corrupt politicians and fat greedy business people. So they are saying ‘let them die’. And they think God will protect them and that Melanesians are naturally immune and resistant to the virus. They are exercising their right to choose. No problem. But they do not seem to know why and how vaccines were developed so quickly and have no idea or clue as to how vaccines are brought to market – from idea to mass production. They also do not understand what clinical trials are. They think that the vaccine current roll out planned for PNG is a TRIAL.

Group 3: These guys are on the fence. In this pandemic period, there are no fence sitters. Either you get the vaccine or not!