Sabah intensifies outreach programme in four districts still below 60% vaccination level

KOTA KINABALU: The state is focusing on outreach initiatives at four districts in the east coast – Kinabatangan, Tongod, Sandakan and Tawau – which have yet to vaccinate at least 60% of their adult population.

Sabah Covid-19 immunisation programme operations director Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said inter-district movement involving the four areas were, however, allowed beginning Thursday (Oct 14).

"(Movement across) all districts is allowed with standard operating procedure imposed," he told The Star when asked if the districts were still in isolation.

The state government had earlier announced that starting Thursday, the zoning system would no longer apply as inter-district travel would be allowed, while interstate travel for other Malaysians coming to Sabah for social visits will be permitted from Nov 1, with conditions.

Shahelmey, who is state Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister, added that the authorities would be conducting house-to-house visits in the four districts to get more people vaccinated.

“The Health Department (will work) with district offices and community leaders to meet as many people as possible at public places for vaccination purposes.

“We are still targeting 80% by the end of this month. It could still be reached.

“It may be delayed by one to two weeks," he said, adding that the house-to-house approach was chosen based upon the low attendance at vaccination centres lately.

Shahelmy also said Papar was expected to hit the 60% mark on Thursday as it was already at 59.9% the day before.

As of Wednesday, 70.7% of adults in Sabah have been fully inoculated while 75.5% received at least the first dose.