CM to lead vaccine recipients
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will be the first person in Sarawak to receive the Covid-19 vaccine when the immunisation programme is rolled out end of this month.
This was confirmed by Deputy Chief Minister and State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during his daily Covid-19 update press conference today.
“I can tell you that the chief minister will be the first one to receive the vaccine. This was already confirmed by state Health director Dr Chin Zin Hing,” he said, while encouraging the rest of Sarawakians to follow suit.
The vaccination programme is expected to start on Feb 27.
Whilst it is not compulsory, Uggah targets to vaccinate 2.2 million Sarawakians and non-Sarawakians aged 18 and above residing in the state.
“The State Health Department had prepared the materials to explain the importance of this vaccination to the people.
“We will spread this throughout the state with the hope that Sarawakians will be prepared to get vaccinated.
“We are not going to force the people and that is why they will have to sign a consent form prior to getting vaccinated,” he said.
Eligible individuals can register through the MySejahtera application, at clinics and hospitals or district offices statewide.
He also warned Sarawakians to not send their Identification Card (IC), name or registration details to any other parties other than the mentioned channels.
Meanwhile, Dr Chin said the targeted 2.2 million comprised of 2 million Sarawakians and about 200,000 non-citizens who are residing in the state.
“Sarawak has 2.8 million total population and I think we can aim about 80 percent of the population, which is needed to achieve the herd immunity.
“That is why we need to get as many as possible of those aged 18 and above who are eligible. Because this vaccine is provided for free, so I think we should take the opportunity,” he said.
He also informed that based on reports from other countries, the vaccination programme was able to lower the number, severity and hospitalisation of cases.
