[UPDATED] Kelantan to get single-dose CanSino jabs for use on Orang Asli: KJ

KOTA BARU – The government will supply Kelantan with the CanSino Covid-19 vaccine next month for use on Orang Asli and those living in the interior.

National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the total doses to be given will be announced later, after Putrajaya acquires the jabs.

“The one-dose vaccine is important to facilitate the authorities’ efforts to vaccinate people living in the interior, including the Orang Asli in Gua Musang, Kuala Krai and so on, as there is no need to enter these areas twice,” he told a press conference with Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob here today.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has said the CanSino and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, both requiring only one dose, have been approved for conditional registration for emergency use.

The approval was granted at a Drug Control Authority meeting two days ago.

On the government’s strategy to have 80% of the population inoculated against Covid-19 by year-end, Khairy said vaccination centres (PPVs) nationwide will accept walk-ins after those already registered for immunisation have all received their jab.

“We are confident that after dispensing (doses) to all those who have registered, we will open PPVs to walk-ins, such as in Kuala Lumpur.”

He said Putrajaya anticipates that the vaccination of some 1.2 million Kelantan residents will be completed by October.

This is based on the state government’s target of administering 30,000 doses daily next month, he said.

“We will also provide another 550,000 doses to Kelantan in July, enabling the state to increase its jab rate to 30,000 doses a day, or at least 20,000 a day.

“The daily vaccination rate in Kelantan is now increasing to 12,000 (doses). Congratulations to Kelantan for implementing various outreach programmes to facilitate vaccination among residents, especially senior citizens.”

To date, 42% of the state’s population has registered for the jab.

Kelantan will set up another five vaccination centres – one each in Kota Baru, Bachok, Pasir Mas, Machang and Kuala Krai. – Bernama, June 17, 2021