Covid-19: Sibu Division set to hit 100% first dose vaccination rate soon

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SIBU: Sibu Division comprising Sibu, Selangau and Kanowit districts has only 4.5% left to achieve a 100% Covid-19 vaccination rate for first dose recipients.

Sarawak Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee said he was optimistic that the Sibu Division could hit the target in the next few days.

He said the vaccination centre (PPV) – led by Pansar Holdings Bhd – had contributed 10% or 23,948 recipients to the total recipients in the division.

“As of Aug 6, 94.5% of the 238,000 eligible adults have received the first dose. Only 4.5% is left, which I am sure we can manage.

“Those not yet vaccinated include pregnant women and those with medical issues. We are on the way to achieve the 100% target,” he said at a press conference after the closing of an industrial PPV at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) on Monday (Aug 9).

Dr Annuar said in the next few days, the vaccination programme would be intensified with the implementation of a mobile vaccination programme using a bus.

“Our next operation will be to move all over town using a bus to vaccinate those who do not have transport to go to the PPV.

“Then there are also those who are not convinced yet to receive the jab,” he said.

According to the latest statistics from Hospital Sibu, he said the vaccination programme has resulted in reported cases of only Category One (asymptomatic), and Category Two (symptomatic, no pneumonia), There were no Categories Three, Four and Five cases in the last two days.

“Although we have positive cases among those who have been vaccinated, their symptoms are less severe compared to those who have not. Death cases are going down and those admitted to ICU are also going down,” he said.

He attributed this achievement to the hard work of everybody involved which included doctors and nurses, frontliners, private companies and the general public.

On the vaccination for adolescents aged between 12 and 17 in the state, he said the Sarawak Covid-19 Advisory Group (Scovag) would decide on it.

“If Scovag decides that those aged 12 to 17 must be vaccinated, I am sure SDMC (state disaster management committee) will look at it in a positive way. But it all depends on this independent committee to give us advice on this vaccination programme,” he said.

The state, he said, would like to be the first to vaccinate the age 12 to 17 group.

“Personally I would like to have vaccination for this group. There are of course worries on the possible side effects of myocarditis and pericarditis.

“But it affects only 40 cases out of one million doses among the male recipients aged between 19 and 29, and less than 10 out of one million doses among the females,” he said.

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis is inflammation of the outer lining of the heart.



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