Sabah orders GLCs to buy vaccines to help state achieve herd immunity

 

Sabah is scheduled to receive a further 1.5 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine this month. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has ordered all state GLCs to purchase vaccines, according to state Covid-19 spokesman Masidi Manjun.

Masidi, who is also local government and housing minister, said the state Cabinet had learned from reliable sources that the production of Pfizer vaccines will be disrupted and will impact countries including Malaysia that are using the supply.

“In preparation for any eventuality that could have an impact on our efforts to reach herd immunity, the state government has decided to buy its own vaccines to address the momentary shortage,” he said, in a statement here today.

“The state will ask the GLCs to use a portion of their business profits to purchase vaccines for their staff (firstly), with the rest to be donated to eligible recipients for free.

“This initiative will enhance the immunisation programme and ramp up the vaccination rate among the people of Sabah.”

Masidi pointed out, however, that Sabah health director Dr Rose Nani Mudin had informed the state Cabinet that the vaccine supply being sent to the state is so far adequate.

Based on the state health department’s planning and notification from the national Covid-19 immunisation task force (CITF), he said Sabah is scheduled to receive a further 1.5 million doses this month.

He added that the supply had started to trickle in since last week.

“The state government, through its GLCs, is ready to buy the supplies to ensure the people get the vaccines as soon as possible.

“The cost to purchase the vaccine will be subtracted from the annual dividends paid by the GLCs to the state government,” he said.

At the same time, Masidi urged private firms, particularly large plantation companies, to buy their own vaccine supplies to inoculate their workers instead of waiting for free supplies from the government.

“We are all aware that about 80% of the workers at plantations are foreigners. These charity programmes, or CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities, will help speed up immunisation among the adult population, regardless of citizenship.

“The state government will consider allowing big plantations that have vaccinated 100% of their workforce, including their families, to operate at full capacity,” he said.

Masidi said the state’s strategic investment arm, Qhazanah Sabah Sdn Bhd, has been appointed by Pharmaniaga Bhd to be the sole representative to sell Sinovac vaccines in the state.

He said Pharmaniaga has a facility to store the vaccine in the state capital and advised companies that intended to buy its vaccines to reach out to the Qhazanah Sabah office here.

“Vaccination is the key towards battling the pandemic in Sabah,” he added.

Masidi said the state government is satisfied with the daily vaccination rate so far, adding that as of Aug 9, 42% of the population have received their first dose while 18.1% have received both doses.

He said the state Cabinet is also aware that the vaccination rate in every district was different.

“For example, Beaufort has already reached over 50% for both doses while some achieved less than 12%.

“The state Cabinet has instructed the state secretary to investigate the matter in order to find some remedial action,” he added.

New infections hit a new record high in Sabah today after 1,514 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, which is 131 more cases compared with yesterday. - FMT