KUCHING: The second phase of the Covid-19 immunisation programme in Sarawak will commence in Sibu Division on the 19th April followed by Kuching, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Kapit, Mukah, and Miri on Apr 23.
State Health Department (JKNS) director Dr Chin Zin Hing said the second phase would be rolled out in Samarahan, Bintulu, and Limbang divisions on Apr 24 and on Apr 30 in Sarikei division.
“For the period of Apr 19 to 30, a total of 13 vaccination centres will operate in all divisions in Sarawak,” he said at the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Covid-19 update press conference today.
“These are mass vaccination centres. Besides these, we also have our health clinics administering the vaccine,” he said.
He said the second phase was aimed at high risk groups, that is, those with comorbidities as well as senior citizens aged 60 years and above.
“A total of 929,435 people are targeted to receive the vaccine in this phase,” he said.
Dr Chin said on the 19th April in Sibu, 924 people are expected to receive their vaccines at the town’s Indoor Stadium.
He said for this second phase, recipients would be given appointments through the MySejahtera application within two weeks before their vaccination date.
“The recipient needs to confirm their consent to receive the vaccine. Those who have been given an appointment and who are ready to receive the vaccine are requested to be present at the place set in the application,” he said.
In response to a question from a reporter, he said family members would be allowed to accompany senior citizens to assist them when receiving their vaccine, adding that it was preferable to have just one accompanying family member.
SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that, if necessary, there should be no issue for senior citizens to be accompanied by more than one family member.
In response to a question on whether members of the media would be included in Phase 2 of the immunisation programme as mentioned recently by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, Uggah said they would check on this.
