KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the state government was ready to vaccinate elderly Sarawakians aged 60 years and above with comorbidities for the second COVID-19 booster.
He said there were about 306,000 Sarawakians who were eligible for the shot.
“At the moment, we are saying it is for the elderly. I will ask local medical experts to look at certain professions like the doctors and nurses in the hospitals. They may be at high risk from the virus even though they have not yet turned 60,” he said when met by reporters at ‘Program Ziarah Ukas 2022’ at Kampung Sinar Budi Baru here yesterday.
He added that the second booster would be given out after four to six months of the first booster as an additional benefit.
“The private hospitals and the medical clinics … all together we should be able to complete the vaccination very fast. Because we have the capacity for 30,000 doses per day, and if everyone is serious about, in 10 days, it can be completed,” he said.
Dr Sim said for the second booster shot, certain criteria must be adhered to.
“You just cannot walk in and say I think I am at high risk,” he said.
Dr Sim also advised parents to send their children for vaccination before the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) ended on May 15.
“There’s no reason why you cannot send them and no reason why you are so busy for the whole month.
“If you love your children., you should protect. We cannot continue to organise vaccinations in school and then only two students turn up. Its’s not a very smart way of using nurses and other resources,” he said.
