KUCHING: Sarawak kicked off its Covid-19 immunisation programme for teenagers today, beginning with those aged 16 and 17-years-old.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state will also be vaccinating those aged between 12 and 15-years-old with comorbidities before proceeding to inoculate the rest of the teenagers.
“The programme started today, and will be conducted in stages. We are now focusing on two categories; first would be those aged 16 and 17-years-old and the second would be younger ones, aged 12 to 15 but with comorbidities.”
“We also want to ensure the 16 and 17 years-old have completed both doses when schools reopen on Oct 3,” he said.
Abang Johari was speaking at a press conference after the launch of the Covid-19 vaccination programme for those below 18-years-old at the Kampung Telaga Air health clinic here today.
He said Sarawak has 289,000 individuals below 18, which is about 10 per cent of the state’s total population. Of the total, 96,400 are those aged 16 and 17-years-old while the rest are between 12 to 15-years-old.
He said the teenagers will be vaccinated at the vaccination centres (PPV), health clinics as well as schools identified by the Health Ministry and the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee.
He said a Covid-19 Immunisation Outreach Programme would be conducted in the rural areas, involving 9,334 students from 16 schools in Kapit and 207 students from two schools in Miri.
He also assured that students who were still in the village and those who are not schooling anymore would not be left behind.
Abang Johari said the authorities will make necessary arrangements to ensure they are given the Covid-19 vaccine as well.
It is hoped that the parents and family members would support their children and the vaccination programme.
He said as of Sept 6, 88.9 per cent of the eligible adult population in Sarawak have completed both doses.
Source: New Straits Times
