By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Feb 21: Following the arrival of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Kuala Lumpur this morning, Sarawak is expected to receive the first batch of the Covid-19 vaccine on Feb 24.
The information was revealed by Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian on his Facebook posting.
“Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccines had landed in Malaysia! The beginning of national vaccines roll out!
“Looking forward to receiving Sarawak’s flight shipment on February 24, in time for Sarawak launching on February 27 (Stadium Perpaduan in Kuching but simultaneously in Sibu),” he said.
Earlier, the flight transporting the first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to Malaysia landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s (KLIA) Advanced Cargo Centre (ACC) at 10 am.
The first batch of the Covid-19 vaccine contained 312,390 doses.
Additional supplies of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will be delivered in phases on a weekly basis.
Meanwhile, Dr Sim explained that before the vaccination programme is implemented, a lot of preparatory work has been done on the ground and will continue to be carried out as the national vaccination programme is being rolled out in phases.
He revealed that cold chain logistics such as facilities, support and strict monitoring on transportation of Covid-19 vaccine to the vaccine storage centres in seven locations throughout Sarawak had been done.
The storage centres were located in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Sri Aman, Sarikei and Limbang.
Other than that, there were 55 locations throughout Sarawak which had been identified as vaccination centres for phase one to frontliners.
Therefore, Dr Sim recalled that there was a dry run for the transportation of the Covid-19 vaccine to Belaga on Jan 29 as part of the preparatory work.
He gathered that the medical staff at the vaccination centres were trained for any eventuality besides vaccination.
Apart from that, Dr Sim asserted that it is crucial for Sarawak to have vaccination for more than 70 per cent of the population to achieve herd immunity.
“Can have best preparation after access, we need to have acceptance by the public.
“We need 70 per cent of Sarawakians vaccinated in order to be effective to protect the community (herd immunity),” he added. —DayakDaily
