COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the country to date is amongst the lowest in the world and puts PNG at a huge risk of developing new strains of COVID 19. COVID-19 Deputy Controller Dr Daoni Esorom sounded the warning yet again based on the statistics the National Pandemic Control Centre has received. "An unvaccinated population is a factory for the variant to thrive and also leaves space for new COVID 19 strains to come up," said Dr Daoni. Dr Daoni, who gave the coverage statistics update said based on the categories, health workers are the only highest vaccinated population and people with underlying health conditions being the lowest category to be vaccinated. The vaccination coverage is as stated under the categories; Elderly (45 years and above) – 9.4% received first dose and 2% fully immunized 18 years to 44 years – 2.4% received first dose and 0.6% fully immunized Person with comorbidities (underlying health conditions) – 07% received first dose and 0.1% fully immunized. Health workers – 32.7% received first dose and 6.2% fully immunized. Dr Daoni said to be fully immunized, a person needs to take two scheduled doses of the vaccination within 8-12 weeks apart. Meanwhile, apart from the static vaccination sites in the hospitals, the National Control Centre is working in partnership with the Provincial Health Authorities to carry out mobile vaccination in communities throughout the country to speed up the coverage.