Persuasion pays off, more Penans come for vaccination
MIRI: The vaccination rate among the Penan community in Telang Usan has increased drastically in recent weeks when compared to previous months, said its assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
Dennis in an interview here yesterday told The Borneo Post that he was happy with the positive development, given that the Penans were hesitant to take the jab in the first few months of the National Immunisation Programme.
“I had been informed by the vaccination centres (PPVs) in Long Lama, Long Bedian and also Long San that many Penans had turned up at these centres to be vaccinated.
“It is indeed a positive development, because previously there was very much hesitation on their part and also we had to do a lot to persuade them to be vaccinated,” he said.
To a question, Dennis said what triggered the Penans to come forward and fight their fear for the needle was the realisation that the virus is real and that it has infected many families in their community and their relatives in just a few weeks, and the death of three Penan women from Long Luteng, Long Sait (but working at Kejin camp) and Long Iman in Mulu.
Despite the current rate, Dennis however was sceptical that the target to get at least 80 per cent of the Penan population to be inoculated by end of August would be achieved.
“To be honest, as much as I want to get all the Penans, especially in Telang Usan, to be fully vaccinated by end of August, I have to say that we may only be able to achieve between 60 and 70 per cent.
“Having said that, we will however continue to go all out to persuade them so that each of those who are eligible will come forward and get vaccinated,” he said.
Dennis said 64 Penans from Long Kevok had had their first Covid-19 vaccine at PPV Long Bedian on Saturday (July 10).
He added that there are a few more from the village wanting to get their vaccination but they are currently under quarantine pending second swab test.
“Long Kevok is still under lockdown, so as soon as the Ministry of Health clears them for vaccination, we will arrange for the remaining folks who want to be vaccinated to be transported to PPV Long Bedian for their vaccination,” said Dennis.
He added that as of Saturday, about 1,000 Penans from both Telang Usan and Beluru districts had been given first and second dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
A total of 11,494 Penans in Telang Usan and Beluru districts are eligible for vaccination.
I had been informed by the vaccination centres (PPVs) in Long Lama, Long Bedian and also Long San that many Penans had turned up at these centres to be vaccinated.
Dennis Ngau