Walk-in registration allowed at Sabah’s Covid-19 immunisation centres
KOTA KINABALU: Those eligible under Phase II of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme but have yet to register for vaccination, can do so at immunisation centres, said Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister Shahelmey Yahya.
According to him, Phase II of the programme focuses on the elderly and those with comorbidities. Those who have registered for vaccination on the MySejahtera application but have yet to receive their appointment date, could also check on and update their status at the immunisation centres, he added.
Shahelmey was responding to claims on social media that walkins for vaccination were accepted at immunisation centres here.
“I have received reports of walk-ins allowed at vaccination centres. I wish to clarify that the walk-in is for registration, not for vaccination,” he said, adding that some who walked in to register managed to get vaccinated the same day due to no-show or cancellation by those with appointments.
He explained that this was the case with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which must be used immediately due to its short shelf life; otherwise, it would have to be discarded – resulting in wastage.
“I appeal to those who have their appointments to please show up as we cannot afford wastage of vaccines,” he said after presenting Hari Raya Aidilfitri goodies to members of the local media on Sunday.
He lamented that some were still doubtful and wary about vaccination and thus, he called upon those in the media who had been inoculated to share their testimonies and allay the fears of the public.
Shahelmey also said the Sabah Sabah state cabinet had decided not to hold its Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house as well as the statelevel Pesta Kaamatan celebration this year. He said the state government had also decided to ban inter-district travel during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period, in force until this May 16.
He stressed that the restriction was neither meant to cause trouble nor deny people from celebrating Aidilfitri, but to ensure the safety of all and also to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“This is the same reason for the decision of no Pesta Kaamatan celebration this year. We are aware that May is the time for the harvest festival celebration, but we also need to control the people’s movements and social events.
“After dealing with the Covid19 pandemic for more than a year, the authorities have found that social gatherings and movements of the people are among key causes for the spike in cases,” he said, adding that all the preventive measures and vigilance were necessary to prevent Sabah from being in the situation that India is in now.
The Tanjung Keramat assemblyman also appealed to the public to donate blood as the supply at the blood bank was low.