Dr Sim (second right) and Uggah observing the vaccination on one of the recipients at the centre.
SERIAN (June 22): Sarawak has now entered the third phase of the Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, meaning those aged 18 years and above can now go for their Covid-19 vaccine jabs, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
Under the programme, the state’s first phase was for frontliners, while the second phase was for the high-risk groups such as those with comorbidities and senior citizens aged 60 years and above.
“From today, everyone can now go for the jab based on their appointments,” he said this after his visit to the vaccination centre (PPV) at Serian Community Hall here today.
The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said the state had not been using the phase system in rural or interior areas of the state, adding that such arrangement would be besieged by problems.
Meanwhile, he said the response from Sarawakians towards the vaccination programme had been very encouraging so far.
He added that this was a very positive development in the state’s efforts to protect everyone against Covid-19.
“To date, we have managed to vaccinate a total of 855,749 people. Yesterday alone, some 59,225 people have been vaccinated. Of the (total) number, 56,975 received their first dose,” he said.
For the Serian Division, he said 2,600 people had been vaccinated while its target was 2,800 daily.
He said the vaccination centre at the Serian community hall vaccinated 1,000 people today which had met its target.
Meanwhile, Uggah reminded workers in industries statewide that their vaccines were provided free of charge.
“We have came across advertisements from some companies saying the workers needed to pay a certain amount for the vaccination. I would like to clarify here that the vaccine is provided free by the government.
“At all vaccination centres for industry, the employers are footing the costs for setting up such centres and the service fee for the teams administering the vaccination.
“Such centres are necessary because we have came across many positive cases in the working places. With them, we can speed up our vaccination programme for the workers,” he said
Uggah said more industry vaccination centres would be set up soon and they would be open to plantation workers too.
SDMC advisor Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot and Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus and Deputy State Secretary Datu Ik Pahon were among those present during the visit.
Earlier, Uggah was briefed on the Serian Community hall immunisation programme by its doctor in-charge Dr Edmund Shin.