SIBU, April 16: Sibu Division has achieved a Covid-19 vaccination rate of 88.3 per cent for children aged five to 11 as of today.
Sibu Division Health Officer, Dr Teh Jo Hun said 28,000 of the 32,000 children from this age group have had their first dose while for those who have received their second dose, the vaccination percentage stands at 20 per cent.
Speaking to reporters during a visit by Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah to the vaccination centre at Agape Centre today, Dr Teh added that the vaccination centre helped to assist the vaccination process for children with special needs.
The centre’s secretary, Dr Toh Teh Hock said they are currently administering the second dose of the vaccine for the children.
“Today and tomorrow, we are expecting 800 children to get their second dose,” he said.
Dr Toh also recalled how Agape Centre came to be a vaccination centre.
“Not many people know that the Agape Centre caters for families and their children with special needs. So when the Covid-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 came out sometime in early February, we quickly worked together with Sibu Hospital. On Feb 18 and 19 we gathered 800 children with special needs between five to 11-years-old and their siblings to receive their first dose,” he said.
Meanwhile Fatimah congratulated Agape Centre and Sibu Hospital for their good working relationship in achieving a high vaccination rate for children with special needs in this age group.
“This centre is very friendly to the children with special needs. Some of them come here for rehabilitation and intervention. So coming to a place that is familiar to them and receiving their vaccine, reduces their stress before vaccination. So it is a very good move when the vaccination is not only for special needs children but also for their siblings, thus speeding up the process,” she said.
Among those present at the event were Bukit Assek assemblyman, Joseph Chieng and deputy director of Sibu Hospital, Rachel Teng. — DayakDaily
