Editor’s Note: About 100,000 Sarawakians have been vaccinated as of today, not one million as reported earlier. DayakDaily apologises for the error.
By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 8: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will soon be revealing the number of Covid-19 vaccine doses acquired by Sarawak itself with the batch expected to arrive by end of May.
State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said he would leave such an important announcement to the Chief Minister although he already knew the figure.
However, he disclosed that Sarawak has discussed with the Federal government and suppliers that the State want at least one million doses of Covid-19 vaccines by next month.
“This (however) does not include the ones that the Sarawak government has purchased.
“Due to shortage of vaccine supply, we told Federal that we want at least 500,000 doses for this month but they can only provide 200,000 doses,” he shared during Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng’s Facebook live session today.
While over 100,000 Sarawakians have received the first dose of the vaccines as of today, he hopes that the State Covid-19 Vaccination drive can be boosted with the scheduled arrivals of more vaccines in due time.
“On average, the Indoor Stadium vaccination centre inoculates at least 1,000 people and hospitals at least 300 people per day.
“As such, those who have registered but yet to receive their appointment dates, please be patient,” he appealed.
As of today, he reiterated that over 1.1 million Sarawakians have registered for vaccination but there are still another one million who have yet to register.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Local Government and Housing, pointed out that the Sarawak government and SDMC, in recent days, have been making preparations for this huge arrival of vaccines by prepping private hospitals and clinics to provide vaccination shots.
“By the time when we have enough vaccines and with the collaboration of the private healthcare facilities including clinics, there would be more than 250 locations that are able to give out the Covid-19 vaccination jabs.
“We are aiming to inoculate about 50,000 persons a day and with private healthcare facilities roped in, we hope to increase to 80,000 shots per day.
“When we can hit 80,000 shots per day, we can deliver 800,000 shots in 10 days. So, in 12 or 13 days, all the remaining one million Sarawakians would have gotten their vaccinations,” he explained. — DayakDaily
