KOTA MARUDU – Covid-19 inoculation will be forced to slow down in the district due to the shortage of vaccines, said Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili today.
Ongkili, who is also Kota Marudu MP, said the rural folk will be most affected by the lack of supplies.
“Inoculation appointments had to be postponed at the last minute due to insufficient vaccine shots. Some were told that when they reached the centres.
“Such situations should not happen, especially with those from rural areas. We are worried that it will discourage them from coming for their second inoculation appointment.”
Speaking after flagging off the second Covid-19 vaccination outreach programme to Magandai, Ongkili said he hoped the issue would be overcome soon.
“I believe this situation is not restricted to Kota Marudu alone, but other districts as well, including those in Sarawak.
“I have conveyed the problem to both Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, so the constraint can be overcome soonest.
“I hope the relevant authorities will ensure there are enough vaccine supplies for the eastern states of Malaysia.”
He, however, said the government has done its best and is committed to ensuring every Malaysians is given their Covid-19 vaccine shots through the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
“We believe inoculation processes can be beefed up through the outreach programmes, and ensure that rural folk are not neglected.”
To date, of over 50,000 people in Kota Marudu, only 27,589 (55%) have registered for the vaccination programme.
“Of that, 7,899 have at least received their first dose, while 5,408 have completed both doses in Kota Marudu; while for Matunggong,1,060 have received their first dose and 1,052 have done both.
“Despite the insufficient supplies, I am happy that many turned up for the inoculation programme. It is encouraging, although initially the response was rather slow.”
On July 8, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor said Sabah would be receiving 2.2 million vaccine doses, with one million doses arriving in July and another 1.2 million in August.
Sabah aims to achieve herd immunity by year-end with the inoculation of 2.9 million people, as Hajiji announced in June.
Also present with Ongkili were Tandek assemblyman Hendrus Anding and Kota Marudu district officer Alexander Yong. – The Vibes, July 13, 2021
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