By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Feb 27: I don’t have any side effects from last night, I think I even look more energetic, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He was referring to his first dose of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at Petra Jaya health clinic yesterday (Feb 26).
Today at Stadium Perpaduan, Petra Jaya, he was at a press conference to share his experiences to the people in hopes to encourage more to step up for the vaccination.
“I have received the vaccine jab at Petra Jaya health clinic with my Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, (Minister of Local Government and Housing) Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, (Sarawak Health director) Dr Chin Zin Hing and other health officers.
“I wish to share my experience to everyone now. After receiving the first dose, my presence at this stadium this morning proves that the vaccine is safe.
“I don’t have any side effects from last night, I think I even look more energetic,” he said in a lighthearted mood.
Adding on, he said his second dose to complete the vaccination would be on March 19, which is the 21st day of the vaccination cycle.
As one of the first few Sarawakians to receive their first doses of the vaccine, Abang Johari urged all the others not to be afraid to register, step forward and take the Pfizer vaccines.
He asserted that the Pfizer vaccines have been approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) on top of the overwhelming responses across the world.
“As far as the Pfizer vaccines are concerned, we have been given to understand that the vaccine has been cleared for use across North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and vaccination campaigns have begun in at least 99 countries including Malaysia.
“For the record since yesterday (Feb 26), more than 218 million doses of the vaccine have been administered among the 99 countries and reports in the United States say that the vaccination has reduced the overall attack rate to 4.6 per cent from 9 per cent without the vaccination over 300 days.
“It has been proven that it has reduced the rate (of Covid-19 infection),” he read, citing research from medical experts during the launching of the Sarawak Covid-19 Imunisation Program at Stadium Perpaduan, Petra Jaya here today.
Among those present at the launching include Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Wellfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion. —DayakDaily
