KUALA LUMPUR – Johor, with its low coronavirus immunisation rate, is in need of more vaccination centres, said Teo Nie Ching.
The Kulai MP, in a statement, said there are fewer Johoreans being vaccinated under Phase 2 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme compared with Phase 1.
“Where are the vaccines? Some 45% of new Covid-19 cases come from the Klang Valley.
“Sarawak recorded the second-highest figure after the Klang Valley at around 9% to 10%, while Johor recorded the third-highest at 8.5%.
“However, the vaccination rate in Johor is among the lowest at only 5.54% – lower than Kelantan, Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang and Negri Sembilan, which have not recorded as many Covid-19 cases as Johor.”
The former deputy education minister said under Phase 1 of the immunisation drive, 71,623 Johoreans received one dose of the vaccine, while 66,883 Johoreans received two doses.
“However, under Phase 2, only 68,920 Johoreans received one dose of the vaccine and 8,593 received two doses,” she said, adding that Phase 2 is not moving as fast as it should in the southern state.
Teo called on the Johor government to offer suitable halls to the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force for use as vaccination centres.
“Under the current volunteer recruitment through the Youth and Sports Ministry, each volunteer must be on duty for six hours per shift, for at least seven consecutive days.
“The state government should recruit more volunteers, with more flexible terms, to be stationed at vaccination centres to ensure smooth operations, especially when we enter Phase 3.”
She also suggested that vaccination teams move from one industrial area to another to bring down infections in these places.
“In the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Johor, 40.8% of the cases originated from industrial areas.
“In Johor, the three districts with the most Covid-19 cases are Johor Baru, Kulai and Muar. It is also because these districts are heavily industrialised.”
She added that a total virus lockdown is an option, but it must come with an economic relief package, mass testing and large-scale vaccination.
While today’s meeting with the menteri besar, top state government officials, MPs and assemblymen is a good start, she said, more follow-ups are needed to ensure the suggestions translate into action.
“This is the first discussion, and I hope it won’t be the last.” – The Vibes, May 27, 2021
