SERIAN: Some 50,000 people accounting for five per cent of Sarawakians are reported to have completed the second dose of the COVID-19 booster shot.
According to Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Hui Kian, the outbreak has become more widespread over the previous four weeks as a result of a considerable rise in the number of cases where booster doses had been consistently omitted.
He pointed out that roughly 1.6 million Sarawakians, or about 80 per cent, had received their first vaccination jab, which was quite encouraging.
“Despite competing to be the first person to receive the vaccine, the community cooperated quite well when it came time to administer the first dose.
“The 1.6 million individuals who have received the first vaccine, compared to the second booster injection are seen as very poor with only 50,000 recipients. This is very sad,” he said.
He told reporters this when asked on the status of COVID-19 in Sarawak so far when officiating at the new academic block of SJK Chung Hua Batu 35 here today (Dec 2).
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, stressed that any individual who has not yet taken the booster vaccine is appealed to complete it as soon as possible.
He added that the vaccination dose also has a shelf life based on the time frame before it is declared to have expired by the Ministry of Health (MoH).
“The first thing we need to do is take a booster dose of the vaccine if you are eligible because at the moment many advantages can be gained through the booster dose.
“With the booster, at least it can protect the antibodies for a minimum of six months,” he said.
He also complimented the way in which society today was alert to attempts to conduct self-tests in order to learn the outcomes of the COVID-19.
In the first three days following the detection of a positive result, Dr Sim advised the individual to consult any medical or private clinic.
