Papua New Guinea, March 30 -- A total of 250 staff from the Port Moresby General Hospital in Papua New Guinea have signed up to be vaccinated with the Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Hospital chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi said they will carry out vaccinations today.

"It will be led by myself and the senior management team plus some of our senior officers."

"Though vaccination is optional we encourage all staff to be vaccinated to protect ourselves to serve the public," Dr Molumi said.

"Also health workers taking the lead in vaccination will encourage the rest of the public to come forward for vaccination so the number of patients infected with COVID coming to our hospitals will be reduced which will save our fragile health sys...