“William” is refusing to take a coronavirus vaccine because he fears the Indonesian Military (TNI) will use the country’s inoculation program to poison him and wipe out his fellow Papuans.

Decades of conflict, racism and human rights abuses are fueling COVID-19 conspiracy theories among his neighbors at a time when their breakaway region is facing a renewed threat from the pandemic.

"I won't take a vaccine if it's brought here by Indonesia," William, who asked not to use his real name, told AFP.

He said he would gladly sign up for any dose administered directly by the World Health Organization.

"But [many people] here are worried that if the jabs come through Indonesia they'll be replaced with some other chemical substance that will kill us," he added.

The government has drafted the TNI to help run a nationwide vaccination drive, including in Papua.

But a widespread mistrust of the TNI runs deep in the region, comprising the most easterly provinces in Indonesia.

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