Press Statement By Julian Tan:
Sarawak government urged to expedite vaccination for adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17. We should allow them to ‘walk-in’ to any PPVs as long as they are accompanied by their parents or guardian who has taken their second dose of vaccine.
Currently, the number of people going for vaccination at PPVs reduces. Thus we should utilize the current capacity and experience gained to immediately implement the program to get our young ones vaccinated as quickly as possible.
Such moves can also accommodate any existing plans. It can reduce the workload and the number needed to be vaccinated during the rolling out of the program in view of the reopening of schools in September and the relaxing of restrictions.
I laud the high vaccination rate in Sarawak, and the government plans to vaccinate the young. However, I also agreed that we should not be complacent. While data shows that vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases, it underscores the risk that even those vaccinated could be contagious. More still needs to be done to reduce transmission, especially to those yet to be vaccinated, especially our children. With almost 29% of Sarawakian consisting of 18-years-old and below, getting vaccinated will further accelerate our effort to combat the pandemic.
Dr Sim stated in his social media (Aug 13th) that “ …in Sarawak, vaccines are waiting for people and they are only effective when administered into the body, not sitting in the fridge… ”. We already have the mean, the facilities in place, and the experience, so why are we still waiting? In this pandemic time, every single day saved can be life-saving.
Julian Tan
08.15.2021
Special Assistant to YB Chong Chieng Jen
