MIRI – Sarawak’s leaders are now having a change of heart about accepting the AstraZeneca (AZ) Covid-19 vaccine.
The AZ vaccine, obtained from the Covax facility, could yet be an option for Sarawakians as Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian has revealed that the Sarawak Covid-19 Advisory Group (Scovag) will reconsider the state’s initial decision not to accept it.
The state Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor said in a Facebook post that the AZ vaccine, which Sarawak had initially turned away due to public concerns over its side effects, could be rolled out with vaccines purchased by the state government next month.
“We in the state government are re-discussing the AstraZeneca vaccine offered to us by Putrajaya.
“AZ may be an option for Sarawak while we buy our own supply of other types of vaccines as part of our Covid-19 immunisation campaign.
“We aim to escalate our effort and vaccinate up to 80,000 people a day next month,” he said.
Local citizens and opposition politicians have been urging the state government to accept the AZ vaccine offered by Putrajaya.
They said it is not wise to reject the vaccine outright as there are many Sarawakians who are willing to accept them, given the fact that the pandemic has reached a dangerous level in Sarawak.
“The situation is already very serious in Sarawak.
“No districts are safe anymore.
“The federal government has offered AstraZeneca to Sarawak twice, so why not accept the vaccine and let the people choose if they want the jabs.
“Sarawakians are capable of weighing the pros and cons and making their choice.
“If they want the AZ vaccine when it’s freely and readily available and they feel that the benefits far outweigh the risks, they should be allowed to choose the AZ vaccine,” said Selangau MP Baru Bian.
Bian, who is presidential council member of Parti Sarawak Bersatu said Sarawak state leaders have definitely made a mistake in rejecting the AZ vaccine offered free of charge by Putrajaya.
Many netizens have also expressed similar views.
“The state government should not have rejected the AZ vaccine.
“It may have turned out to be a bad decision.
“Every type of vaccine has their risks, but AZ will be useful for those who want it willingly,” said netizen David Bakit.
Another local, Sabani Yunus said the state should have accepted the AZ vaccine when it was offered free by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“Stock it in Sarawak and if there is not enough of the Pfrizer and Sinovac (vaccines), then offer Sarawakians the option of AZ,” he said.
State leaders had last month rejected the offer for free AZ vaccine stocks made by Khairy to SDMC chairman Datuk Dougglas Uggah Embas when they met in Putrajaya.
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) chief for Pujut branch Bruce Chai said many Sarawakians will consider the AZ shots if they were given that option.
“I will personally sign up for the AZ vaccine.
“The benefits of (the) AZ vaccine outweighs the risk.
“For those who are healthy and willing to accept the AZ vaccine, they should be given the option to choose,” he said. – The Vibes, May 13, 2021
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