KUCHING: Sarawak is the first state in the country to spearhead the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NCIP) for the below 18 age group in its population.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said there are a total of 289,200 teenagers aged 12 to 17 which make up 10.3 percent of Sarawak’s population.
Of the figure, a total of 192,800 or 6.9 percent are 12 to 15 years old while the other 96,400 or 3.4 percent are 16 to 17 years old.
He said that the vaccination exercise would be carried out in six divisions namely Kuching, Sri Aman, Serian, Sarikei, Sibu and Bintulu.
Abang Johari said this during a visit to the Telaga Air Health Clinic on the first day of vaccination for those below 18 yesterday (Sept 8).
“Sarawak has begun vaccinating the teenagers in its population which will be done in stages starting from Sept 8. The vaccination exercise will first involve the 16 to 17 years old group as well as those 12 to 15 years old with comorbidities.
“Meanwhile, the 12 to 15 years old group who are healthy will receive their vaccination at the end of September. This depends on the arrival of vaccine supplies,” he said.
The chief minister said the state was targeting to complete the vaccination for below18 age group by the fourth week of October.
He pointed out that the state wanted to complete vaccinating those 16 and 17 years old before the reopening of schools scheduled on Oct 3.
“I would like to urge parents and guardians to bring their children who are eligible to receive the vaccination to go to the designated vaccination centres (PPV), health clinics or the Mobile Covid-19 immunisation outreach programme.
“On Sept 7, the State Education Department was appointed as the student management system for administration of Covid-19 vaccination.
“This means besides collaborating with the Ministry of Health (MOH) under the supervision of Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), we also need cooperation from the State Education Department, parents, Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG) and students,” he said.
He noted that the vaccination exercise would involve a total of 69 schools in Kuching division with 20,990 students who are in the 16 to 17 years old group while the Mobile Covid-19 immunisation outreach programme in Kapit division has 16 schools with 9,334 students and in Miri division two schools with 207 students.
“We will also be vaccinating teenagers who are not in school, staying in the village and studying in boarding school. The appointment will be given based on the respective schools and each PPV will be assigned to manage this.
“The existing system is still in use for this exercise, the only thing different is that the parents or guardians have to be present to give the consent,” he added.
Also present during the visit were Deputy Chief Minister and SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and State Health director Datuk Dr Mohamed Sapien Mohamed.
