JOHOR BARU: Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar says the vaccination rate in Johor needs to improve.

       According to statistics from the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) website, as at Monday (Aug 2), some 31.3% or 1,184,151 adults in the state had received their first dose.

       However, the figure for those who had received both doses was not shown.

       "Lives cannot be traded. I always think of the suffering of my people, especially those who were infected with Covid-19 and those who have passed away.

       "This pandemic has now gotten worse due to the spread of the Delta variant.

       "The strategy is clear – we must vaccinate our state's population at the fastest possible rate," said His Majesty in a statement posted on his official Facebook page here on Wednesday (Aug 4).

       Meanwhile, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim said on a Facebook post that while the vaccination rate in Johor was now at 50,000 doses per day, the Covid-19 infection rate in the state was still at an alarming level.

       "Given the situation, I believe the vaccination rate could be further increased to 70,000 doses per day as soon as possible.

       "I would also like to suggest that Operation Surge Capacity be implemented in Johor," he said, calling the government to further increase the supply of vaccines to Johor.