GEORGE TOWN – The National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme will begin in Penang this Sunday with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow as the first recipient of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
The vaccine is reportedly 95% effective against the coronavirus.
The Chief Minister’s Office in a statement said Chow was invited to launch the phase one of the vaccination drive at the Penang Hospital by receiving the first jab.
“Those next in line to receive the vaccine are Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, state secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar, and Penang police chief Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan.
“The state Health Department also informed that the implementation of the immunisation programme in Penang will be broken down to three phases, involving an implementation period of one year,” said the statement.
The Chief Minister’s Office also explained that the programme aims to inoculate 70% of Penang’s population, totalling 1.3 million people, to achieve herd immunity.
The Health Department has informed that to date, a total of 15 vaccination centres have been identified, involving three halls in each Penang district.
“The people of Penang are urged to give their full support to the national immunisation programme by registering through the MySejahtera application, as well as registration channels set up by the Health Ministry, as soon as possible,” said the statement. – The Vibes, February 25, 2021
