Teenagers between 12 to 15 in Sarawak to be vaccinated starting Thursday

KUCHING (Bernama): Teenagers aged between 12 and 15 with no health issues in Sarawak are expected to be given the Covid-19 vaccine starting Thursday (Sept 23), the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said on Tuesday (Sept 21).

He said this was in line with the announcement made by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar on Monday (Sept 20) to commence with the vaccination programme for those aged 12 to 17 on walk-in basis at selected vaccination centres (PPV) nationwide.

"Khairy also said the Health Ministry would announce the list of selected PPVs today. Some 3.2 million teenagers nationwide are expected to be involved in this National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Adolescents," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Uggah said the vaccination drive would be done in preparation for the reopening of school on Oct 3 to ensure the risk of infection in schools was reduced while preventing the emergence of clusters or cases involving school children.

"Parents and guardians should make full use of the opportunity to protect their children or those under their charge.

"In Sarawak, the respective divisional health offices will select the PPV for the purpose.

"Please accompany your children for the vaccination as there will be consent forms that you have to fill in," he said.

Meanwhile, Uggah who was also Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister said the state had just received its consignment of 10,000 doses of the single-dose CanSino vaccine.

He said the vaccines would be distributed starting today to the State Logistic Pharmacy Branch (CFLN) located here, the divisional pharmacy centres (PFB) in Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu and Kapit, Sarikei and Sibu hospitals and health clinics in Mid-Layar (Betong), Kapit and Song.

"On Sept 24, some of the vaccines will be delivered to Bintulu KK (health clinic), Bintulu Hospital, Belaga KK, Sungai Asap KK and PFB Miri," he added. - Bernama