KUANTAN – The Covid-19 vaccination programme for teenagers aged 16 and 17 in Pahang will begin on Monday, said state health director Datuk Dr Nor Azimi Yunus.
Dr Nor Azimi, in a statement posted on her Facebook account, said the Pahang Health Department was also coordinating with the state Education Department for the vaccination exercise.
The administration of vaccines to teenagers in Pahang had already started on September 15 at five major hospitals involving those suffering from high-risk diseases.
The hospitals involved are Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh, Pekan Hospital, Lipis Hospital, and Bentong Hospital.
Regarding the vaccination programme in Pahang, Dr Nor Azimi said that as of yesterday, a total of 960,126 people or 81.7% of the adult population of Pahang had been partially vaccinated while 691,258 people or 58.8% had been fully vaccinated.
Dr Nor Azimi said another 26,048 people had registered and are currently waiting for vaccination.
“However, there are still 189,626 people or 16.1% who have yet to register (for vaccination). Based on the sufficient supply of vaccines, we are targeting 100% of the adult population to be vaccinated at least with one dose by the end of this month,” she said.
However, she said, based on the current performance, the target may take time to be achieved and various strategies have been put in place in all districts to boost the vaccination process, including implementing outreach programmes in almost all villages.
“Walk-ins have also been implemented in all districts. However, attendance for the first dose injection is still not reaching the target. Opportunities and space to get the injection are wide open,” she said, adding that deaths from Covid-19 were heartbreaking, mostly involving individuals who have not been vaccinated.
Dr Nor Azimi said she hopes that the residents of Pahang who have yet to be vaccinated will grab the opportunity and reduce the severity of infections and deaths due to the Covid-19 virus. – Bernama, September 17, 2021
