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KUALA TERENGGANU – About 1,000 Pulau Redang residents are expected to be vaccinated against Covid-19 under the Jejak Vaksin Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) programme when Terengganu receives more doses next month.
UniSZA Medical Faculty dean Prof Dr Harmy Mohamed Yusoff said the varsity has started making preparations for the outreach initiative, including by drawing up a list of eligible recipients with the help of the Kuala Nerus district office.
“However, it is subject to the delivery of (additional) vaccines. We were told that supplies may increase in July, so we hope to implement the programme there (on Pulau Redang) and in other interior areas.
“We need to speed up vaccination on the island before the arrival of the monsoon season. It will be difficult to go there once September comes.
“Many of the island’s residents work in the tourism industry, so the vaccination drive can help revitalise the sector,” he told reporters at the programme’s launch at SK Kesom here yesterday.
It will take a day or two to complete the Pulau Redang vaccination drive, he added.
National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin, during a visit to Terengganu on June 17, said the state will get another 200,000 doses starting next month.
Dr Harmy said Jejak Vaksin aims to administer more than 15,000 doses in the state’s interior within six months.
“The volunteers comprise medical specialists, lecturers, nurses, pharmacists, medical students and others.
“The team is capable of vaccinating 300 to 600 people daily, and this number can be increased according to needs.”
The programme is a joint effort between UniSZA, the Higher Education Ministry, Health Ministry, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, state government, state Health Department, state Education Department, corporate bodies and civil society organisations. – Bernama, June 27, 2021
