KUCHING: Sarawak has been fortunate to avoid a surge in severe Covid-19 cases along with deaths due to the Delta variant.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the state has dodged a bullet with its swift vaccine rollout in the last few months hence achieving a high vaccination rate.
“Thanks to people of Sarawak, we have obtained a very high vaccination rate in a short period of time for adults as well as the ongoing vaccine rollout for those aged 16 to 17 and 12 to 15.
“Without the high vaccination rate, Sarawak will not only have a surge in cases due to Delta but it will be affected by a surge in Category 4 and 5 cases and deaths as seen in Kuala Lumpur and Sabah.
“Sarawak was very fortunate that we were at the end of the vaccination for adults when the Delta variant arrived from cases in West Malaysia and Kalimantan,” he said in a Facebook post on Thursday (Sept 30).
Meanwhile, Dr Sim also echoed the sentiments of United States’ White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci who said it is possible that the Covid-19 will need three doses for a full regimen.
He was commenting on an article quoting Dr Fauci who said as such, adding that three doses are to protect those who are high-risk, medical frontliners and those with comorbidities.
“It is a rather reassuring view by the top medical expert like Dr Fauci that we need three doses for full Covid-19 vaccination.
“Sarawak is once again entrusted to be the first in Malaysia to roll out the booster or third vaccine dose in October. Let’s just do it,” Dr Sim said.
In a report by online portal CNBC, Dr Fauci said giving people an additional dose, or perhaps a final dose, several months after they’ve received their initial vaccination helps the immune system mature.
“I must say from my own experience as an immunologist, I would not at all be surprised that the adequate full regimen for vaccination will likely be three doses,” he said.
