KUCHING: Sarawak must achieve its target to vaccinate 70 percent of its population to achieve herd immunity and end the spread of Covid-19.
“I was administered the first dose of the vaccine on Friday at Klinik Kesihatan Petra Jaya (KKPJ) with Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Health director Dr Chin Zin Hing, and the medical frontliners.
“After the vaccination, I can say that it is safe — I have not experienced any side effects and health issues. I will be administered the second dose of the vaccine on March 19.
“With that, I urge Sarawakians to not be afraid to register for the vaccination and come forward to receive their vaccines which has been approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA),” he said.
Abang Johari said registration can be made through the MySejahtera app and for the rural residents they can register themselves at the nearest health clinic, health centre, district office or through their longhouse head, village chief or local community leader.
“Sarawak’s vaccination programme aims to vaccinate over two million Sarawakians and about 200,000 non-citizens which will make up 70 percent of the residents here to achieve herd immunity.
“This programme will be implemented in three phases within seven months from Feb until Aug this year subject to the vaccine supply,” he said.
The chief minister said the first shipment of the vaccine involved 23,400 doses to be administered to 11,700 frontliners.
For the second phase, Sarawak will receive six shipments of the vaccine for 956,435 recipients from the elderly and high risk group.
Meanwhile, for the third phase, Abang Johari said the state aims to vaccinate 999,834 individuals aged 18 and above.
