Public cooperation needed to ensure success of Covid-19 vaccination programme – Dr Sim

SIBU: Minister of Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian has called for cooperation from people in the state to ensure the smooth running of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

He said the time has come for people to join in the fight to end the chain of Covid-19 infection.

“Folk in Sibu and Kuching will be among the earliest to receive the Covid-19 vaccination scheduled for Feb 27.

“The decision was made after taking into consideration the number of positive cases in Sibu which is still rising.

“The launching of the vaccination programme will be done simultaneously in Kuching and Sibu because we realise that Sibu is also a high risk area,” he said during the Facebook Live session with Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong branch chairman Wong Ching Yong yesterday.

Among joining the session was KPJ Sibu Specialist Medical Centre medical director Dr Wong Chya Wei.

In the effort to vaccinate as many people as soon as possible, Dr Sim said the state government would look at accessibility factors.

“Acceptance of the public is needed to get at least 70 per cent of people vaccinated in order to create group immunity,” he said.

He also explained that most of the first phase of vaccination will be given to the frontliners which will be done in clinics and hospitals, while the second phase of vaccination will be done in private hospitals and private clinics.

“This vaccine injection programme will be divided into several phases or stages. The first is for frontline staff, followed by high-risk senior citizens and citizens aged 18 and above.

“By the end of March, the public will be given the vaccine, so that is why we do not want people to just come to government hospitals or clinics, but all private hospitals and clinics will get their share,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Wong dwelled on how to register for the Covid19 vaccine.

“The government has promised that this Covid-19 vaccine will be given free for all Malaysians and even foreign workers who are either registered or illegal. The process of registration will start in March and there are few ways of registration and the most efficient and easiest way would be via the MySejahtera app, which the majority of citizens already possessed,” he said.

Dr Wong noted that this app will have an updated version soon and once it is rolled out, every smart phone holder will be able to click on the application and follow the steps to get themselves registered for the vaccine.