MIRI – Seven storage facilities will be set up throughout Sarawak to store the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, with 55 inoculation centres statewide on standby for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the vaccination exercise will begin in Kuching and Sibu – two worst-hit coronavirus areas in Sarawak – on February 27.
“The vaccine arrived in Malaysia today.
“We look forward to the first shipment to be flown to Sarawak on February 24, in time for the immunisation programme to start on February 27.”
Dr Sim said the seven storage facilities are located in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Sri Aman, Sarikei and Limbang.
“Medical staff members in 55 vaccination centres will be trained to not only administer the injection, but also deal with any side effect that may arise.”
He said the authorities are in the process of carrying out recipient registrations, vetting through applications and consent forms, scheduling vaccination dates, as well as planning post-vaccination monitoring and second vaccination stage.
Sarawak needs to inoculate 70% of its three million citizens to achieve herd immunity.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg will be the first recipient of the vaccine, along with the first batch of frontliners, at Stadium Perpaduan in Kuching. – The Vibes, February 21, 2021
