Despite sluggish start, Sarawak’s Covid-19 vaccination rate now similar to countries like S’pore and Israel, says Dr Sim

Dr Sim (centre), Chai (left) and others flag off the truck which will deliver the donated PPE to government hospitals and Health Department offices in Kuching, Bintulu, Sibu and Miri. – Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING (July 2): Almost 50 per cent of the people in Sarawak are expected to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in three weeks’ time, Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said.

He said this rate is comparable to successful vaccination programmes in countries like Israel where 50 per cent of the population has received both doses, and Singapore where 51 per cent has received the first dose and 30 per cent, the second dose.

“We may have had a slow start but we have attained about 30 per cent for the first dose and about 10 per cent for two doses.

“Hopefully, we can achieve 50 per cent by Sarawak Independence Day on July 22,” he told reporters after receiving a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of jump suits and face masks from LDS Charities and Rotary Club Bintulu Central at the old State Legislative Assembly building in Petra Jaya here yesterday.

The jump suits and face masks, worth RM420,000, are meant for frontliners at government hospitals and Health Department offices in Kuching, Bintulu, Sibu and Miri, to be distributed in stages.

“I want to thank the Rotary Club Bintulu Central and LDS Charities for their kind gesture today, basically in the spirit that in Sarawak we do all things together to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is not about the amount that you give but if everyone can give, it will help to inspire others and thank our frontliners that they have the people’s support,” added Dr Sim.

Dr Sim said Sarawak was so successful in carrying out the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme compared to the rest of the country because the state had dedicated frontliners and volunteers, donations from various organisations, as well as the people’s cooperation.

He hoped the pandemic would end soon and that Sarawak would achieve 80 per cent herd community soonest.

State Security and Enforcement Unit director Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung was among those present at the event with Dr Sim.

from Borneo Post Online https://bit.ly/3jBskcu
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