States mobilising to meet and exceed targets in Phase Two

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has targeted 268,000 vaccine recipients under Phase Two of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, which is now ongoing nationwide.

State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Shahelmey Yahya, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during the state-level launch here yesterday, urged more people to register as the vaccination registration rate in the state was still low.

“As of (last) Saturday, 428,934 people had registered. We want more Sabah folks to register,” he said at one of the 212 vaccine administration centres in Sabah.

Responding to claims of queue jumpers for vaccination during Phase One, he said state authorities were not aware of this happening in Sabah as all those who were vaccinated at the time were frontliners and those in essential services.

Some 42,117 frontliners from health and non-health personnel completed their vaccination under Phase One, with the immunisation also extended to 8,546 essential services personnel.

“With the first phase completed, this group can give testimonies to their families and clear the negative perception towards immunisation on social media,” Shahelmey added.

To a question, he said six Covid19 vaccine recipients in Sabah were reported to have been infected after being immunised.

“These cases were due to close contact (with someone infected) and being infected less than a week after vaccination.

“Getting the vaccine does not mean we are 100% safe from infection, but it will make our immune system stronger so that the virus spread can be curbed,” he added.

In Penang, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow hoped that with Phase Two, the state would be on track to achieve its target of having 1.34 million people vaccinated.

“Those who have registered must always check their MySejahtera app to know their appointment dates.

“Around 30% did not check their appointment date, while others don’t even know they had to confirm their attendance,” he said.

In Melaka, Bernama reported that 250,000 people comprising individuals aged 60 and above, at-risk groups and the Orang Asli were being targeted to receive the vaccine under Phase Two, and 70% of the state’s population were expected to be vaccinated by December.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said 29 vaccination centres would be set up in stages.

In Pahang, Bernama reported that 360,000 people are expected to be included under Phase Two.