MIRI – The people should have the right to opt for the type of Covid-19 vaccine booster and the Health Ministry must make Pfizer, Sinovac and AstraZeneca shots available at all vaccination venues.
In recommending these measures, Progressive Democratic Party president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing today said the ministry must respect the choice of vaccine recipients.
The Bintulu MP today said the high hesitancy rate in taking the booster shots in Sarawak could be addressed better if the people are given the choice of booster brands.
“If a person had two shots of Sinovac and wants Sinovac for his third booster shot, the ministry cannot force that person to take Pfizer.
“Will the ministry take full responsibility if anything negative happens if it insists only on Pfizer?
“The people must be given the choice of vaccine that they want.
“The health teams at all vaccination venues must have the necessary stocks of all vaccine brands ready at all times,” he said in a press statement.
Tiong said the ministry must overcome the hesitancy that has hampered the booster shot campaign in Sarawak.
Despite the state election being just weeks away, so far only about 58% of Sarawakian adults have taken their booster shots.
Concerned about this figure, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian took to social media yesterday to call on all eligible Sarawakians to go for their booster shots.
“For the period between October and November, there are 821,000 Sarawakians eligible for booster dose.
“Thank you very much to our fellow Sarawakians who had gone for the booster dose. However, we must do better than the 58% vaccination rate now.
“There will be another 338,000 Sarawakians with two doses of Sinovac who are eligible for booster shots this month (November). With the increase of booster dosage administration, cases of new infection and deaths will continue to go down in Sarawak,” he said in his Facebook page.
The Election Commission (EC) is set to announce the polling date for Sarawak election tomorrow.
This comes after the state assembly was dissolved on November 3, prompting the EC to hold state polls within 60 days. – The Vibes, November 23, 2021
