Contingency plan to ensure vaccination programme completes by August as targeted
KUCHING: The state is looking into the possibility of purchasing extra Covid-19 vaccines to step up its immunisation programme, said State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Uggah, who is also deputy chief minister, in revealing this, said the additional vaccine supply would supplement what is currently provided by the federal government.
He said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has instructed a team to find ways on how to purchase the vaccines.
“The prime minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) has informed that the federal government will supply all the vaccines needed by eligible Sarawakians.
“However, the chief minister has instructed a team, led by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) public health expert Prof Datuk Dr Andrew Kiyu Dawie, to find a way on how to purchase vaccines,” he said during SDMC’s Covid-19 press conference here on Monday (Mar 1).
He also noted that the intention is only a contingency plan based on the state’s target to complete its vaccination programme by August this year.
“Dr Sim (Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian) is in discussion with Kuala Lumpur because we can only buy vaccines through there.
“So far, there is no indication that we are able to get any stock. But the effort is being made and the chief minister has instructed the committee to look at that possibility,” he added.
