SIBU, August 9: Sarawak would like to be the first in the country to inoculate adolescents aged between 12 to 17.
According to Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Dr Annuar Rapaee, however, the Sarawak Covid-19 Vaccine Advisory Group (Scovag) would firstly need to give its approval for this vaccination programme.
Dr Annuar, who is also Sibu Division Disaster Management Committee (SDDMC) coordinator, was speaking at a press conference at the closing of an industrial vaccination centre (PPV) at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) here today.
“If Scovag decides that those aged 12 to 17 must be vaccinated, I am sure SDMC (State Disaster Management Committee) will look at it in a positive way. But it all depends on this independent committee to give us advice on this vaccination programme,” he said.
The Nangka assemblyman was asked whether the State would opt for vaccination for adolescents aged between 12 to 17 when the Federal Government had decided not to go for it pending studies and clinical data.
Touching on the vaccination rate for Sibu Division, he said, as of Aug 6, 94.5 per cent of the 238,000 eligible adults aged 18 and above have received the first dose.
“That left us with only 4.5 per cent and those not yet vaccinated include pregnant women and those with medical issues. We are on the way to achieve 100 per cent,” he said.
In order to cover more people, he said the mobile vaccination programme would continue in the next few days using a bus to vaccinate those who do not have transport to go to the PPV. — DayakDaily
