By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, June 7: Rural folk who come to vaccination centres without appointments would still be considered to receive the Covid-19 jab on-the-spot.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is because there are eligible participants who come from faraway to be vaccinated but their names are not in the list.
“If their names are not in the list, we will still vaccinate them and then we will register their details because we need the database.
“This had to be done so that the rural folk don’t have to go back-and-forth. This will expedite the vaccination process particularly in the rural areas,” he told reporters during his visit to the opt-in AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccination programme at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
He also described the initiative as “something beyond normal” but stressed that it is important for the State government to be flexible considering that there are those who do not know how to register for the vaccination.
He added he had requested all elected representatives to assist their constituents in inoculation matters so that Sarawak can achieve its target of vaccinating 70 per cent of its population by August this year.
Abang Johari revealed that 380,000 Sinovac vaccine doses will be delivered to Kuching on June 9, while another batch of 89,160 doses will arrive in Miri the following day (June 10).
“We target to receive 1 million doses this month,” he said.
He also said Sarawak is expected to receive 2 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine within the next two months.
At the same time, Abang Johari reminded those who have received the Covid-19 jab to continue adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Apart from implementing lockdowns to curb Covid-19 outbreaks, he said those who have been vaccinated must have self-discipline and not be complacent.
“If we play our role, I believe we can lower the number of cases in the State.
“The State government is also willing to pay for logistics costs so that the people can receive the Covid-19 jab,” he said. — DayakDaily
