KAPIT, Aug 5: Sarawak is on track to achieve herd immunity against Covid-19 by the middle of August or September given the aggressive rollout of vaccinations over the past two months with continuous efforts at the current pace to cover individuals receiving second doses and a sweep through to ensure all eligible adults are vaccinated in the State.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed confidence that Sarawak can achieve its target with the assistance and cooperation from all parties, including the Armed Forces as well as the response from the public towards the immunisation programme.
Briefly addressing the residents of a remote Kenyah village settlement at Long Singut located along the border between Sarawak and Kalimantan in Ulu Baleh here, he said that he is satisfied with the overall performance and achievement of the immunisation rollout in Sarawak which is now ahead of other states in Malaysia.
As for the vaccination rate in Kapit Division, Abang Johari pointed out that the division has exceeded the 80 per cent target, with 84 per cent of the adult population administered with the second dose.
“This is a very encouraging achievement despite the situation in Kapit which is very challenging in terms of topography and the distribution of the scattered population,” he said.
The vaccination rollout in the village is handled by the Armed Forces in collaboration with various parties, especially the Kapit Division administration.
Abang Johari was accompanied by State and federal officers during his short visit here to monitor the vaccination drive to inoculate 178 recipients in the village settlement.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong and Commander of the Army Eastern Field Command Dato’ Mardzuki Muhammad were also present.
Earlier, Abang Johari was briefed on the development in the village settlement including issues regarding infrastructure facilities, problems faced by the residents and the Covid-19 immunisation programme.
Abang Johari also approved a sum of grants for the construction of a cement road, church and a hall for the village settlement. — DayakDaily
