KOTA KINABALU: Twenty drive-through vaccination centres (PPVs) will be formed at army camps nationwide to cater to military personnel, their families and Defence Ministry civil staff, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       The Defence Minister said these drive-through vaccinations will be fully operational once all the military personnel have been vaccinated.

       Speaking to reporters after the drive-through vaccination programme at the Lok Kawi army camp on Saturday (June 26), he said Sabah military personnel already recorded a high vaccination rate of 95%.

       “In Sabah, we have about 11,000 military personnel - Army, Navy and Air Force - and about 10,400 have received their first or second dose, so that leaves us with about 600 more. We are awaiting vaccines for the rest,” said Ismail Sabri.

       He added that he expected 99% of the total number to be vaccinated, accounting for the 1% that might be stationed outside the state for other duties.

       Ismail Sabri said that it is important to build immunity among military personnel as they are the country's frontliners.

       “They are involved in Ops Benteng and roadblock operations, they take care of our borders. If they get infected, it will be hard to mobilise frontliners,” he said.

       Ismail Sabri added that Lok Kawi is the third drive-through vaccination programme after Sungai Besi camp and Kem Muara Tuang (Sarawak).

       He said that out of the 5,000 military staff at Lok Kawi camp, 4,800 have been inoculated.

       Asked if there were plans to open the drive-through vaccination centres to the public, Ismail Sabri said it can be considered once the families and serving personnel are vaccinated.

       “If the Sabah government needs our assistance for drive-through vaccinations for the public, Insyallah we will assist,” he said.

       On another question about the extension of the lockdown, which is slated to end on June 28, he said “wait until tomorrow, if there is a development tomorrow evening, I will announce it.”