LUNDU, July 6: As Sarawak ramps up its Covid-19 vaccination rollout, the State is requesting for 430,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses per week from the federal government so as the rollout can be completed by August this year.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the success and progress of the Sarawak immunisation programme was dependent on vaccine supplies received from the federal government.
“Unless Kuala Lumpur and the National Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) give us the amount, we will not be able to reach our target of vaccinating 2.2 million people in the State by the end of August.
“But the CITF has promised to deliver what we need. Our request now is for 430,000 doses per week,” he told reporters after visiting the vaccination centre at the Lundu Civic Centre here today.
Uggah, who is also the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said as of yesterday, the State had vaccinated 1.552,944 million people.
Out of that number, 1.226,659 million had received their first dose and the balance had completed two doses.
Yesterday alone, the State had vaccinated 56,068 people.
“Now, we want to push the number beyond 60,000 daily to achieve our target.We have now a total of 313 of all kinds of vaccination centres statewide.
“They include 68 public vaccination centres, 84 general practitioners’ clinics, 51 government clinics, 24 general hospitals, 35 industry vaccination centres, 12 private hospitals, 36 mobile centres, two AstraZeneca centres and a university vaccination (PPV IPT) centre.
“In addition, we are also assisted by military combat medic teams operating in various forward locations in Lawas, Miri and Kapit.
“Thus, with their involvement, our progress has been very fast and widespread,” he added.
Uggah, who is also the Second Finance Minister expressed his gratitude to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) elected representatives who had generously chipped in to the programme in their respective constituencies, as well as a good number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate bodies.
He also expressed his satisfaction with the encouraging responses from the people towards the vaccination programme.
Meanwhile, Uggah was also pleased to learn that in Lundu, out of the 23,584 people who had registered for vaccinations, some 17,951 (76 per cent) people had received their first dose and 8,248 (35 per cent) their second dose.
Earlier, Uggah who was accompanied by SDMC advisor Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and Deputy State Secretary Datu Ik Pahon were briefed by Lundu District Officer Gustian Durani and District Health Officer Dr Nicky Orrellius Tennent on the progress of the vaccination programme in Lundu.
Also present were Tanjung Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu and Kuching Resident Sherrina Hussaini.
Apart from that, Uggah asserted unequivocal support for the State government is behind Sarawak’s great success and speed in implementing the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme rollout.
“We just do not rely on the federal government’s input alone. Our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has been most supportive in terms of funds and resources.
“That is why now we are among the top States in the country in the number of vaccinations given out,” he added. — DayakDaily
