KUALA BERANG – A total of 63,734 Orang Asli have disagreed to be vaccinated based on feedback from registration forms given out under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
Deputy Rural Development Minister I Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said of the 79,041 registration forms returned so far, only 15,307 Orang Asli consented to be vaccinated.
“We can see that the number of people (Orang Asli) who agree to be vaccinated is low. Most of them reject the vaccine for fear of dying within two or three years after vaccination.
“We have distributed about 120,000 forms to eligible recipients of the Covid-19 vaccine, but only 79,041 have been returned. So, I agree that awareness (regarding vaccination) among the Orang Asli community is still low.”
Rahman said so far, only 3,018 Orang Asli have been vaccinated.
He said the ministry, together with the Orang Asli Development Department and relevant authorities, will continue to expand engagement sessions with the Orang Asli to explain the importance of getting vaccinated.
“Maybe they did not get a clear explanation. So, the ministry will revise its strategy and programme to advise and explain (to them), so that every eligible Orang Asli agrees to be vaccinated.” – Bernama, June 8, 2021
