Teo wants CITF to explain uneven vaccine rollout in Johor

 

A DAP lawmaker has demanded answers from the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) of the uneven vaccine rollout in Johor.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching said four districts in Johor received vaccines for less than 45 percent of their population while another two districts, namely Muar and Tangkak, have received vaccines for more than 70 percent of their population.

The four districts with fewer vaccine doses are Kluang, Kulai, Segamat and Pontian, she said in a statement today.

“According to the Johor State Health Department, as of July 28, Johor received 2,036,870 doses of vaccine. The amount of vaccine received by Kulai district is the third lowest within Johor, which is 41.87 percent (of the population) only.

“And there are four districts which received vaccines for less than 45 percent of their population, namely Kluang, Kulai, Segamat and Pontian while Muar and Tangkak have received vaccines for more than 70 percent of its population.”

She pointed out the average percentage of vaccine doses received compared to the population in all ten districts is 52.58 percent.

“Is it because Johor has already entered Phase 3 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Plan, so all will receive their appointment according to their registration date? Or is it because of the uneven vaccine distribution within Johor?

“CITF Johor should explain and justify the huge gap,” she said.

Similarly, she also noted uneven vaccine rollout for adults of different age groups.

“I visited the Bandar Putra vaccination centre, one of the two vaccination centres for Kulai District yesterday. I noticed that most of the recipients who turned up for the first dose were born in1967, or 54 years old,” she said.

“However, from what was shared by netizens, some of whom I know personally, some born in 1987, or 34 years old this year, already received their first dose in Johor Bahru. At the same time, those born in 1977, or 44 years old this year, already completed two doses in Batu Pahat,” she said.

She urged the government to increase the vaccination rate in Kulai to 5,000 per day from 3,500 a day currently.

“CITF Johor should organise a meeting with all elected representatives of Johor to explain the latest vaccine stock, delivery and vaccination plan,” added Teo.  - Mkini