GEORGE TOWN – Three factors must come into play to achieve herd immunity by October in the state: a consistent supply of Covid-19 vaccine, adequate vaccination centres (PPVs), and the majority of residents must accept that the shot is the surest way to overcome the virus.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said it is possible to achieve herd immunity by October, but Penang must ramp up vaccinations from between 9,000 and 10,000 daily from now.
Currently, only 3% of the population in the state have received the full dosage.
“We can achieve that (herd immunity by October) if the Covid-19 vaccine supply and number of PPVs in Penang are increased,” said Chow today.
About 133,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses will be administered from June 7 to July 27 at the Setia SPICE arena here for those who have registered for the opt-in programme.
Some 1,000 people are expected to be immunised daily at the arena, with health authorities hoping to reach the 2,000 mark on weekends.
Penang also wants to increase the number of PPVs at factories and vacant premises at the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone and Batu Kawan Industrial Park.
“(This) will speed up the process to immunise as many people as possible,” said Chow.
He also urged organisations and individuals to step forward to assist in fast-tracking the vaccination.
Penang prefers three mega vaccination centres that can administer 5,000 doses daily, he added.
Penang currently has 10 PPVs that are in operation or scheduled to be activated – the Jawi multipurpose hall (1,200-person daily capacity), Sg Bakap multipurpose hall (1,200), Caring Society Complex (800), Pesta Pulau Pinang site (1,000), Balik Pulau Sports Complex (800), Bayan Baru Community Hall (600), Dewan Millenium in Kepala Batas (800), Perda Convention Centre (800), Seberang Prai Arena Convention Centre (800) and Seberang Jaya Expo site (600).
Private hospitals that have been roped in are the Lam Wah Ee, Loh Guan Lye, Pantai, KPJ, Adventist and Gleneagles hospitals.
The Universiti Sains Malaysia main campus may also function as a drive-through PPV. – The Vibes, June 4, 2021
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