MIRI – Sarawak will begin vaccinating teenagers aged 12 to 17 once it receives the go-ahead from independent health experts, said state Public Health and Housing Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee.
“In view of the high Covid-19 infections among individuals aged 18 and below in this state, the vaccination for those aged 12 to 17 is being looked into by medical experts working with the Sarawak Covid-19 Vaccine Advisory Group.
“If they give the clearance, the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee will take it up and implement it.”
Sarawak Health Department statistics revealed that hospitals in the state are accepting more and more young patients, according to committee adviser Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
“From July 15 to August 3, Sarawak General Hospital statistics showed that out of 1,000 Covid-19 patients, at least 20% are aged below 18. This is a concerning trend.
“Under-18s are not yet vaccinated (due to national policy), and in Sarawak, these young ones are getting infected at a worrying rate.”
Dr Sim said the spread of the Delta variant and other strains in the state poses a higher risk to youth, who may face more serious symptoms.
Sarawak is also looking to add a third booster for adults, he added.
“The advisory group is looking into this, since there is no decision yet from the federal side. It (the group) is made up of health and medical experts in Sarawak.
“They will advise the state government on the plan to vaccinate those aged 12 to 17 since the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme has yet to decide.
“They will also advise us about the third dose to boost vaccine effectiveness for immunised individuals,” he said, adding that only the Pfizer vaccine can be used on teenagers.
The current delivery status of Covid-19 vaccines ordered under the national inoculation exercise is as follows:
- Sinovac (completed in July, with no new delivery to Sarawak)
- AstraZeneca and Pfizer – (ongoing)
- CanSino (yet to start) – The Vibes, August 10, 2021
