We’ll use whatever vaccine stocks we have now, says PM

 

Photographs of a shortage in Sabah, posted on Friday by SAPP president Yong Teck Lee. (Facebook pic)

“We do not want to suffer delays by waiting for vaccine supplies promised to us, and which in the end are late. The rakyat will become victims.

“We do not have any obligation to wait for the supplies – the rakyat cannot wait. Forget about those who are late with supplies. Whatever (doses of vaccine) we have in the country, we will use those first.”

Ismail said six states had yet to reach the 50% level of vaccinations for adults. The states are Terengganu (46.2%), Perak (46.6%), Johor (44.9%), Kelantan (43.2%), Kedah (43%) and Sabah (37.1%).

“I have discussed with the secretaries-general of the health ministry and the science, technology and innovation ministry and we must focus on these states.”

He added that they were expecting all the six states to exceed the 50% target by the end of September, or earlier.

The government would also have discussions on whether the Klang Valley would be able to move to Phase 2 of the national recovery plan, as a total of 5.5 million adults or 89.5% of the population, had completed their vaccinations so far.

“We will look into this in detail. Let’s wait for the announcement later,” Ismail said.

Over six million adults in the Klang Valley have received at least one dose of the vaccine, amounting to 110.7% of the adult population as the number includes non-residents and migrants.

Two weeks ago, four vaccination centres in Penang were closed for a day and appointments for second doses had to be postponed. Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow urged the health ministry to ensure a steady supply of vaccine to the state, where Covid-19 cases have been rising.

On Friday, Sabah Progressive Party president Yong Teck Lee posted photographs showing empty chairs at the vaccination centre at Sabah International Convention Centre, and a notice about a Pfizer vaccine shortage.

Yesterday, Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin said he had received numerous complaints from constituents who were turned away when they arrived for their second dose appointments.

“They were told that all appointments for the second dose have been rescheduled to Sept 3 onwards. I have been made to understand that this is due to either a disruption in the timely delivery of vaccines or plain insufficient supply,” he said. - FMT