KUCHING: The government will not force the coming Covid-19 vaccinations on the people.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said it would only be given to those who wanted it.
“It will be an individual choice. We are aware there are people who said they will not get themselves vaccinated because of certain fears and phobias. They might have unfortunately been influenced by a lot of negative postings in the social media, some of which are quite scary.
“But for the state government, it targets to get at least 2.2 million Sarawakians to be vaccinated in its three-phase vaccination programme to be launched here this February 27,” Uggah said in an interview with RTM at his office today.
He said for those who wanted to be vaccinated they would be checked by doctors for any allergy or sickness first.
“We want to be sure their state of health indicates they are fit or eligible for the vaccination. We will not want them to be endangered in any way.”
Uggah said the state government would carry out a publicity campaign on the need for the people to be vaccinated.
The state public communication body, Ukas, would work with RTM, the Information Department, the newspaper companies, social media groups and others on this state wide publicity blitz.
He said the Health Department would prepare the publicity materials and described the campaign as a very challenging one.
Looking forward to a great support for the vaccination programme, Uggah said it would help to protect the recipients, their families and the society in general against the deadly infectious disease.
“When we can protect ourselves from it, we can go back to our normal lives. We can start our economic activities to generate income, we can travel around. We can socialise again.”
Meanwhile, Uggah, who also heads the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said a 10-member special committee under the leadership of a local scientist Datuk Dr Andrew Kiyu had been formed to look into the need of acquiring more vaccine for the state should it becomes necessary.
Dr Andrew, a former state health department director, is now a professor of public health at the Faculty of Medicine and Public Health of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).
“Of course the federal government is supplying the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. But we will have to look around for extra supplies should they be inadequate or run out sooner than expected. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed his concern over this possibility, so he has directed Dr Andrew and his team of scientists to come up with recommendations to the state government on other vaccines available in the market.”
Uggah in the interview again reminded especially rural people to take up every precaution against the pandemic.
“We must continue to follow the SOPs strictly. Last year only one longhouse was affected but with minimal impact. But in the first two months of this year, we have 214 longhouses affected with some fatalities.
“Now through strategies and containment efforts, 116 are no longer under lockdown. The other 98 longhouses are still under the lockdown order.
“It is the responsibility of everyone to ensure the safety of all. Please be very serious and co-operate closely,” he urged.
