KUCHING: Parental response to the state-level National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme launched on Feb 3 for Kids (PICKids) aged five to 11 years is encouraging.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said that he was happy to see parents taking time off to get their children vaccinated.
“This morning (Feb 10) at the vaccination centre at the Batu Kawah Health Clinic, we can see parents taking their children for the vaccination.
“With that, from the bottom of my heart, I really want to thank all the parents. We can also see that the children are in very high spirits and very courageous.
“This is the Sarawak spirit of solidarity. Therefore, let Sarawak continue to have the highest vaccination rate for the rest of the country to see,” he said when witnessing the PICKids programme at the Batu Kawah Health Clinic on Tuesday (Feb 10).
Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, said that children aged five to 11 years were the remaining gap that needed to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“We know that the surge in Omicron is here as we can see the R naught (RO) virus is getting higher and higher where a week ago we only reported single digit daily COVID-19 cases, but now we are seeing cases notching up three digits.
“The Omicron variant may be mild but if you are at risk, you are still at risk of getting a severe infection.
“That is why, the vaccination for the children is very important because when they visit their grandparents – although their infection is mild – they can still bring the virus back to those around them,” he said.
Urging parents to bring their children to be vaccinated quickly, Dr Sim said: “The adverse reaction from the vaccine is so small, and no doctors want to give you trouble.
“We love you and want to protect you rather than cause more trouble for you. So, please do not listen to all the fake news.
“If you don’t receive the vaccination and when you get sick, it will only cause more trouble to the hospitals.”
On another note, he conveyed his appreciation to the Ministry of Health (MoH), Sarawak Health Department and Sarawak Education Department for the close cooperation in allowing the smooth process of the vaccination for the children.
“This is testimony to our very close working relationship between the Sarawak government and KKM, and also without the PICK (COVID-19 National Immunisation Programme), we would not be able to achieve such a high vaccination rate.
“We also want to thank the people for their cooperation, otherwise the government can organise all the programmes, can have all the vaccines and facilities, but if the people don’t respond, then it won’t be a success,” he said.
Dr Sim also stressed that the COVID-19 vaccination was a key component in the war against the virus.
