Sarawak to be first fully vaccinated state by August: Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR – Sarawak is expected to be the first state in the country to complete the immunisation programme and have its population fully vaccinated, as the federal government ramps up its vaccine delivery to the Borneo state.

National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Sarawak has been assured that 4.4 million vaccine doses, enough for its 2.2 million adult population, will be delivered by August, with inoculations to be completed the same month.

However, he dismissed suggestions that this is a political move to garner support ahead of an impending state election there.

Khairy, who is also science, technology and innovation minister, instead said the acceleration of the immunisation drive in Sarawak is to ensure enough people will be vaccinated in time, should the election be called once the emergency is lifted.

This is to avoid another pandemic wave, he added, while assuring that the federal government’s commitment to Sarawak will not come at the expense of other states.

“I can give my assurance to people in the Klang Valley and other states, we will also pick up our immunisation drive across the country,” he told a press conference aired live on Facebook today.

“But a very important point to raise is that this is not a political (move), but a legal requirement and matter of public health. Should the emergency be lifted on August 1 as announced, then, by law, Sarawak needs to hold its state election within 60 days.

“With that in mind, there needs to be some form of accelerated vaccination.

“I don’t know if you remember what happened during the Sabah election (in September last year), but if Sarawak is not fully vaccinated by the time of the election, not only Sarawak, but the nation will be at risk of another Covid-19 wave.”

Khairy was asked why Sarawak is being given priority in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, when Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are worse-hit.

The minister said this after meeting Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg in Kuching, which was attended by the Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas.

With the commitment given to Sarawak, the state will now receive its full vaccine supply from the federal government, after previously announcing plans to privately procure jabs, he added.

He said 380,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine will be delivered to the state each week from June, until the full 4.4 millions doses are fulfilled.

With this, he added, the focus will be on how best to implement and expedite the mass immunisation drive there, with a targeted 45,000 shots to be administered each day.

“We will focus on opening new vaccination centres (PPVs) and increasing the manpower at these centres. We will also set up PPVs in industrial areas.

“Additionally, we will increase our vaccine administration via the participation of private clinics and hospitals. In total, 39 clinics and seven hospitals will assist.

“We will also mobilise our mobile outreach team to the rural areas of Sarawak, and I have ordered the state to implement a hybrid registration system, where those without mobile phones or internet access can register manually.”

When asked to confirm if the state election will be held within 60 days of the lifting of the emergency on August 1, Uggah said: “We will leave it to the Election Commission to decide when the polls will take place.” – The Vibes, May 28, 2021