GEORGE TOWN – Less than 10% of Penang’s 1.3 million population has registered for Covid-19 vaccination, with the figure standing at only 113,672 as of March 4.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told a press conference today that the low number may be due to the public understanding that Phase 1 of the inoculation drive involves frontliners only.
“I don’t know how the vaccination programme is scheduled, but I hope that those who register early will be vaccinated first.
“I believe this is a fair way to conduct the programme, without any cases of queue-jumping.
“With this system, the public’s confidence in the programme can be improved.”
With more avenues for registration, including online and via telephone, besides the MySejahtera app, the number of registrations can increase, he said.
“Everything will come to nothing if we do not achieve herd immunity and the targeted 80% of Malaysians vaccinated.
“However, on a positive note, total vaccination registrants nationwide have breached three million.
“I hope that the people of Penang will not wait until we move on to Phases 2 and 3 to register.”
As of yesterday, 5,172 frontliners in Penang have received the jab.
Chow and several excos, too, got vaccinated last week.
The chief minister said he did not experience adverse side effects, only feeling muscle soreness where the vaccine was administered.
“What I experienced is what a majority of those who received the vaccination felt as well – nothing out of the ordinary.
“I hope media reports of people saying they are fine after getting vaccinated will instil confidence in the public to come forward and register for the vaccination programme.” – The Vibes, March 8, 2021
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