KUCHING: Members of the public applaud the efforts done by the state government thus far in providing the Covid-19 vaccines to Sarawakians as quickly as possible.
As of June 16, it was reported that the state government has vaccinated 438,621 people or 21.47 percent of Sarawakians who registered for the vaccine.
Hence, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that aside from increasing the number of doses per day, the government used another method to speed up the vaccination process by giving jabs first before registering the vaccine recipients through MySejahtera.
This is part of the state government’s efforts to hasten the vaccination process and achieve herd immunity by August.
New Sarawak Tribune spoke with the public to get their views on the subject matter.
SARAH AMEL HAMZAH, 24 (Student)
The vaccination roll out is progressing slower than anticipated. To achieve herd immunity, there must be a collective effort between the authorities and local communities in ensuring that everyone plays their roles. To quicken the roll out, more vaccination centres should be elevated. Additionally, a mobile outreach team targeting rural, plantation and factory areas is essential to ensure that everyone gets vaccinated.
WALTER SANGGAI UDEN, 25 (Fresh graduate)
The state government has done a tremendous job in getting the people vaccinated by securing vaccines from the federal government and opening PPVs as well as conducting mobile outreach vaccination programmes. It is possible we are able to achieve herd immunity by August by opening more PPVs and allowing private and general practitioner clinics to assist in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
NALINA SURIA RAVI, 24 (External engagement and project management executive)
The efforts made by the government are a good move to reduce the high risk of Covid-19 infections. Herd immunity can be achieved if there are more vaccination centres. The government can collaborate with the district councils to carry out more vaccine programmes.
DIANA TRACY, 41 (Assistant registrar)
The efforts done by the state government is by far effective but leaders must exclude political-related matters while promoting the vaccine to the people. My suggestion is to do more mobile vaccines in villages and the local representatives can also play their roles to help speed up the vaccination process in the rural areas.
TAN GEOK KEE, 51 (Retiree)
The effort made by the state government is commendable. With the current progress, I am optimistic that Sarawak will be able to achieve herd immunity by August. My suggestion to increase the vaccination process is to provide more mobile vaccination centres especially in the rural areas and the factory and plantation areas.
LOIS GWYN PETER, 25 (Student)
It’s a commendable effort taken by the government. However, the number of cases in the state has not shown significant reduction. I am not so confident we can achieve this target by August, considering it is mid-June and the number of Sarawakians vaccinated only just surpassed 21 percent. Perhaps the authorities could set up more places for vaccination drives to vaccinate the people at a faster rate.
PRESTON PATRICK BERUNDANG, 23 (Student)
It is a good initiative by the government as cases have been on the rise lately. With the efforts made, the impending state elections can be held safely. The government seems to be doing a good job in getting Sarawakians vaccinated as soon as possible and I believe we can achieve herd immunity by August. My suggestion is that the state government could go into the rural areas to get the locals vaccinated.
