The Menteri Besar of Perak, Dato’ Saarani Mohamad received his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 immunisation vaccine jab today (March 22).
He completed the vaccination process along with the line-up of state executive councillors, Health Director of the Perak State Health Department, Dato’ Dr Ding Lay Ming and healthcare frontliners who had received the first jab back on March 1.
“According to statistics as of March 20, some 45,734 frontliners have received the vaccine for the ongoing first phase of the state-level vaccination programme.
“Out of the total, 22,120 are staff from the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, while the remaining are staff from other departments and parties who are also directly involved in the programme.
“This is equivalent to 97.5 percent completion of the programme’s first phase.
“However, the percentage of Perakeans who’ve registered to be vaccinated are still relatively low, at only 21.1 (equivalent to 406,380 individuals).
“Perhaps most Perakeans are still waiting and observing. I’d like to reiterate that there is absolutely nothing to worry about. I’m feeling great. Even our Prime Minister, the first-ever figure in the country to receive the vaccine is also doing just fine.
“For the Orang Asli, the state government has liaised with the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) to engage in a joint effort with MOH Malaysia in aiding the inland inhabitants to manually register for the vaccination programme.
“Thus, the state government has decided to intensify efforts in encouraging Perakeans to register for the vaccination programme, such as recruiting more volunteers to promote at malls, night markets, state assembly service centres or even at the side of fields.”
Saarani told reporters so during a media session after receiving his jab at the vaccination centre (PPV) in Stadium Indera Mulia earlier today.
In terms of coverage by districts for the first phase of vaccination, nearly all recorded 100 percent vaccination coverage, except Kampar (98 percent) and Kinta (93.4 percent).
“With that said, we’re very confident that the first phase can be fully completed before the start of the second phase on April 1,” Saarani posited.
Chris Teh
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