KUCHING, April 23: Sarawakians may not have to take Covid-19 vaccine again once the State procures Paxlovid antiviral pills, says Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
However, he said this possibility will have to wait for further instruction from the Ministry of Health (MOH).
He said he had instructed the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chaired by Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian to buy more antiviral pills for the use of Sarawakians.
The additional pills would complement those allocated by MOH for Sarawak.
“We are buying (the pills) with our own money because in this (endemic) transition phase, we may not have to get vaccinated if we already have the pills.
“It is just like taking Panadol. If we start to develop Covid-19 symptoms then we take the pill.
“However, we should wait for further instruction from MOH before we can use the pills that have been bought by the State government,” he said when speaking at the bubur pedas presentation in conjunction with RTM Kuching’s Jelajah Ramadan Programme held at Datuk Patinggi Ali Hall in Gedong today.
Abang Johari, who is also Gedong assemblyman, further said that the authorities will administer the doses to Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms only at the initial stage.— DayakDaily
