GEORGE TOWN – The empty Covid-19 vaccination centre in Bayan Baru here has many concerned about not achieving herd immunity among children, especially with the resumption of all in-person school activities.
During a site visit to the Sunshine Square vaccination centre today, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin urged Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to reconsider the decision to end the national Covid-19 immunisation programme for children on May 15.
He said there is no reason for the ministry to end the programme before 70% of children are fully vaccinated.
He added that many children remain unvaccinated because their parents are fearful of the side effects.
“Vaccine hesitancy among parents for their children is real. Though it is understandable, parents must reconsider their choices as the schools are reopening fully, and we are talking about children playing sports together and dining in canteens, among others.
“I am sincerely worried that cases may spike up again,” he said.
According to the CovidNow website, 1,518,923 children (42.8%) nationwide have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 806,532 children (22.7%) have been fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Sim is running a lucky draw for those who bring their children to the Sunshine Square centre to get their first dose between April 29 and May 15. Ten winners will get a parent-and-child annual pass set to enjoy at Komtar’s The TOP.
ASP Medical Group senior vice-president Yeap Gim Ean told The Vibes that the company will have been running the centre for six months by May 19, and 10,000 booster doses have been administered to adults and 13,000 vaccine shots for children.
Khairy announced on Wednesday that children will no longer get the Covid-19 vaccine jab for free once the PICKids programme ends on May 15 as low demand for the vaccine could result in high wastage.
“After that date, they will have to pay for the vaccine and they will be given the Sinovac vaccine.”
He said they can receive the vaccine at any paid vaccination centre. – The Vibes, April 29, 2022
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