MIRI – A freezer packed with bottles of saline solution kept at -70°C – the temperature at which the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine must be stored – is expected to arrive in Sarawak from the Netherlands tonight.
The cargo is part of a test run to determine if the vaccines can be safely delivered to the remote district of Belaga, with the freezer’s temperature maintained.
The trial is organised by the Health Ministry and Pfizer Malaysia, said Sarawak Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
“The state is grateful to the Health Ministry and Pfizer Malaysia for this delivery trial run to the remote Belaga district in central Sarawak.
“The chartered flight carrying the test freezer has left Amsterdam, where the vaccines are being stored.
“The plane is on its way to Singapore, and then, it will head to the Subang military airbase before flying to Kuching and onwards to Bintulu airport in northern Sarawak.
“The aircraft is expected to arrive in Bintulu tonight.
“From Bintulu airport, the freezer, with a team of health personnel and Pfizer staffers, will make their way by four-wheel drive to Belaga.
“Upon arrival in Belaga (about four hours from Bintulu), the freezer will be opened to see if the temperature inside is still at -70°C.”
State Public Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi said state authorities will assist in terms of logistics to ensure the transport arrangements are executed smoothly.
If the test run proves successful, Covid-19 vaccines can be delivered to remote Sarawak areas soon for distribution and use among frontliners and rural folk, he said.
Sarawak is facing a surge in coronavirus infections and fatalities, with 35 deaths and 4,000 cases.
The disease has spread to more than 100 longhouses in remote areas. – The Vibes, January 29, 2021
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