MUKAH: A total of 120 senior citizens were given the first dose of Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine under phase two the National Immunisation Programme held at Dewan Suarah Mesra here on Friday.
The inoculation exercise was carried out smoothly, and there was no report of immediate critical effect on the recipients.
Mukah Resident cum Mukah Division Disaster Management Committee chairperson Hamdiah Bakir was also present to monitor the situation.
The senior citizens were among those who had been listed to receive the first dose of the vaccine under phase two of the programme, which was organised by the divisional disaster management committee.
One of recipients, Penghulu Besiri Keri, said the vaccine was important in order to strengthen the anti-body of the recipient.
The former headmaster in his sixties advised the people here not to be afraid, as their consent was important to create herd community immunity.
“However, it is important to observe the new normal because a vaccinated persons may be still be infected, even though the chances are low compared to those who are unvaccinated,” he said.
Another recipient, Cosmas Chukan Tampang, said he voluntarily registered to receive the vaccine in response to the government’s call to ensure that the spread of Covid-19 could be prevented.
According to him, initially during registration some people in his area refused to register, but now many are willing to be vaccinated, and this is a positive development.
He added this showed an increase in the level of awareness among the grassroots on the benefits of vaccination.
He hoped more people will register for the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
