KUCHING: The success of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) in Sarawak is due to the willingness of its people to come forward and do their part in the fight against the pandemic.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian added that hesitation rate among Sarawakians in getting their jabs are also low.
“I would like to thank everyone for doing their part, not just the frontliners administering the vaccination but those who have registered and showed up for their appointment.
“I am very happy that we do not have a lot of vaccine hesitancy, otherwise we would not have been able to vaccinate as many people as we have.
“This is because vaccination requires the recipient to be informed and they must have consented to it. Thus, you must be willing to be vaccinated and no one can force you. Our success truly shows the spirit of Sarawak solidarity.
“We want to save the people’s livelihood and allow them to regain some freedom, but of course it is not complete freedom like before this pandemic happened,” he said when attending the vaccination programme for senior citizens of KMC flat buildings on Sunday (July 4).
Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian (second left) distributing face shield to residents of the KMC flats while MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng (left) looks on. Photo: Ramidi Subari 
Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian (second left) distributing face shield to residents of the KMC flats while MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng (left) looks on. Photo: Ramidi Subari 
Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian (right) and MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng (second right) watching KMC residents boarding the bus to go to the vaccination centre. Photo: Ramidi Subari
Dr Sim who is also the Local Government and Housing Minister noted that the cooperation which exists among Sarawakians also contributed to the state exceeding even other countries in their vaccination progress.
He pointed out that everyone including the frontliners are doing double shifts and the private clinics and medical sectors have scaled up their efforts towards the common goal of achieving herd immunity.
“Of course, we have to also thank the federal government for giving us the vaccine supplies. Everybody really has been scaling up in their efforts for the vaccination which is why we even have mobile vaccination centres (PPVs).
“A few days ago, I shared a slide on how countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei and Singapore are doing with their Covid-19 vaccination progress.
“There are countries that have the means to buy vaccine supplies without any issue, but their vaccination progress is slow because the people have a high level of hesitancy.
“Sarawakians understood the importance on doing their parts. We are all understanding and forgiving with the sacrifices made because we want Sarawakians to be alive,” he said.
