By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 26: Following the landing of South African Covid-19 variant in Sarawak and the surge in Covid-19 cases, Sarawakians needed to be vaccinated fast.
Advisor of Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Dato Sri Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian in a social media posting today, took the opportunity to make the call.
“In view of the recent South African Covid-19 variants (which have) already landed in Sarawak and (also) increase in (Covid-19) cases where we are not very successful in flattening the curve, we need to vaccinate fast,” said Dr Sim who made the statement while announcing the arrival of yet another batch of Sinovac.
A new batch of Sinovac vaccines have safely arrived in Kuching today for those who are scheduled to receive their second dosage on May 28, 2021.
Dr Sim thanked all who worked round-the clock in the last minute (due to flight cancellation) to make alternative arrangement to ensure that the vaccines arrive on time for Sarawakians scheduled to be vaccinated on this Friday.
Dr Sim who is also Local Government and Housing Minister said currently, under National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK), the Health Ministry and Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (CITF), PfizerNTech (Pfizer) and Sinovac will be made available at various stages.
For both Pfizer, a second dose has to be administered after three weeks, while for Sinovac, the second dose must be jabbed on the third or fourth week after receiving the first dose to achieve full efficacy.
AstraZeneca vaccines are also available on voluntary but first come first serve basis under CITF.
Regardless of what type of vaccines, Dr Sim advised Sarawakians to be vaccinated with whatever vaccines that National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) approves, which the government have access to.
Meanwhile, he hoped the federal government will accelerate the delivery of large number of vaccines to Sarawak, based on Sarawak’s rightful share under PICK while at the same time, vaccination rate may be picked up through Sarawak government’s effort in procuring its own Sinovac.
“We are quietly confident to complete vaccinate all eligible Sarawakians by August, unless there is a disruption of vaccine supply,” said Dr Sim. — DayakDaily
