MIRI – Covid-19 vaccination for teenagers with comorbidities is being expedited in Sarawak.
The inoculation drive, which began last Tuesday, saw thousands of teenagers suffering from illnesses such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, getting their jabs.
In Sibu, almost 4,000 teens aged between 12 and 15 with comorbidities were detected during the registration for vaccination in schools over the past week.
Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting, in a live online session, said that, with a surge in cases due to the Delta variant, many parents are seeking swift vaccination for their children.
“We have started a vaccination drive for teens aged between 16 and 17 and the response has been good.
“I have also been getting calls from parents asking about when their children who are below 16 years old are going to get their jabs.
“They said they heard that there are teens between 12 and 15 years here who have been vaccinated already.
“To date, 3,981 teens aged between 12 and 15 have been vaccinated due to their comorbidities.
“We are giving priority to them as they are suffering from these comorbidities.
“If your child does not have any health issues, please wait for their turn for vaccination.
“Meanwhile, keep them protected by adhering strictly to SOPs at all times,” he said.
Ting assured parents that all their young children will be vaccinated according to the plans drawn up.
There are about 290,000 teenagers aged between 12 and 18 statewide and the Covid-19 immunisation exercise for them will last until October 31.
Sarawak has seen 659 Covid-19 deaths and some 180,000 new infections as of yesterday evening. – The Vibes, September 18, 2021