KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is urging the Federal Government to send more Covid-19 vaccines to the state as supplies are no longer sufficient.

       Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said due to increasing demand for vaccines, existing stocks are no longer sufficient for those registered.

       "I was told that hospitals have had to postpone vaccine appointments due to the lack of supply, which should not happen since we are trying to expedite efforts to get people vaccinated," he said on Sunday (July 4).

       Bung, who is also state Works Minister, said he was informed that at present, about 10,000 to 11,000 individuals are vaccinated daily, which should have increased to 20,000 people a day.

       "The government has intensified various awareness programmes on the benefits of vaccination, including outreach programmes in rural areas as well as setting up new vaccine administration centres (PPV), but unfortunately our vaccine supply is not enough," Bung said.

       He said although Covid-19 cases in Sabah were considered under control, the Federal Government needed to take into account the overall health and safety of all Sabahans.

       "We must expedite the immunisation process, especially in Sabah as we want to reach the target of 85% vaccinated by October," Bung said.