MIRI – Recipients of the Sinovac vaccine are questioning the status of their third booster shot since the government has stopped importing the said vaccine.
Those in Sarawak have taken to social media, asking state representatives for a clarification on this matter.
“What sort of vaccine will I get for my third shot since I got a double dose of Sinovac?
“Will the government buy new stock of Sinovac for those who are already vaccinated?” asked netizen Maria Bumang.
Chris Chin asked if it is already medically certified for those vaccinated with Sinovac to be given another brand of vaccine as their third booster shots.
“I hope Sarawak authorities will answer all these queries before they go ahead with the third injection plan.
“So far, we have not heard any news that confirms it is safe to mix different vaccine brands,” he told The Vibes, asking if the state has consulted the Health Ministry on their plan to administer the third shot.
He said out of the three million Sarawakians, many of them had been vaccinated with Sinovac before the government stopped importing it.
On August 6, it was announced that Sarawak is expected to administer a third booster jab of Covid-19 vaccine this October.
The state Disaster Management Committee is drawing up plans for this with the Sarawak Covid-19 Advisory Group, said committee advisor Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Sim, who is state local government and housing minister, said the booster shot is needed to deal with continued infection, especially with the emergence of new variants.
“We can start the third jab earliest by October if approved.
“We are also looking into the best vaccine for those aged 12 to 18.
“Out of the 1,100 infections at Sarawak General Hospital, some are aged below 18.
“That is why it is urgent to vaccinate this group,” he said after meeting hawkers at Kenyalang Park in Kuching.
Sarawak is once again seeing between 600 and 700 new cases over the past few days, with Kuching recording the highest tally with some 300 cases. – The Vibes, August 8, 2021
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