KUCHING: The Sarawak government is considering giving the single-dose Covid-19 vaccine, CanSino, to those who refuse to be vaccinated, especially in the rural and remote areas, including the Penans.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said although the vaccination programme had now reached the remote communities, there were still a few who refused to be vaccinated.
“Today, we received a report from Limbang that the Penans there do not want to be vaccinated.
“Perhaps the CanSino single-dose vaccine is most suitable for those who are hesitant to receive vaccine injections because if they are given a two-dose injection, they may not want to come for the second jab.
“However, we will use all available resources to convince them that vaccination is the answer to protect ourselves from Covid-19,” he told a press conference during his visit to the Bra’ang Bayur Health Clinic vaccination centre here today.
Elaborating further, Uggah, who is also the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman, said so far, Sarawak had not yet received any supply of the CanSino vaccine despite being informed that they might arrive this month.
“We are still waiting (for the supply of CanSino) and at the same time, will continue the vaccination programme.
“Our main objective is to get people vaccinated as soon as possible. So we have decided not to wait for the CanSino because we don’t know when it will arrive,” he explained.
Also present were Assistant Transport Minister and Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, Kuching Health officer, Dr Eunice Melissa Joseph and Bra’ang Bayur Health Clinic officer in charge, Dr Arvin Thiagarajah.
