By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Feb 27: Covid-19 vaccines are more valuable than gold nowadays so don’t waste them, says State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He said one bottle of the Pfizer vaccine is meant for six persons, so those who have received their first doses are reminded to complete their vaccination cycle on the 21st day.
“The first dose is to trigger the immune system in the body against Covid-19 and the second dose is known as the booster dose.
“According to reports in Israel, the first dose builds about 80 per cent of the immunity and the second dose increases it to 90 per cent, and the boost is vital in fighting mutated variants of the virus,” he explained while noting the importance of a complete Pfizer vaccination.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Local Government and Housing, also pointed out the main purpose of Sarawak’s efforts in expediting the entire vaccination programme.
It is not only to protect oneself, he said, but for Sarawak to be one step ahead of any potential mutations of the Coronavirus.
With the virus in the community going from one person to another, he asserted that new variants could occur and existing vaccines might not be as effective by then.
“So, if we do not vaccinate enough people quickly, the current vaccines may not be effective once mutation happens.
“That is why we are rushing to complete the vaccination operation to prevent this from happening.
“Once the 70 per cent herd immunity is achieved and the transmission stops, the virus will not have the chance to mutate anymore,” he said during the Facebook live session of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng earlier today.
In the session, Dr Sim also took the opportunity to announce the arrival of China’s Sinovac vaccines in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) today.
He said Ministry of Health (MoH) is, in the meantime, evaluating this vaccine so that Malaysia has more options available to expedite the immunisation programme throughout the nation.
Nonetheless, he added, the Ministry is waiting for more documented materials from China as proof of effectiveness of this Sinovac vaccine.
“One of the setbacks is that Sinovac has to be further processed when they arrive, to be packaged into smaller bottles.
“It is also different from Pfizer as the manufacturing process is more traditional. We do hope that this vaccine can be approved by MOH as soon as possible,” said Dr Sim. — DayakDaily
