SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan is edging closer to the requirements for a transition to Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), but has been hit by a shortage of vaccines.
The shortage might see several Covid-19 vaccination centres in the state being forced to temporarily close this weekend, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
He added that the supply received from the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force has dropped over the past two weeks.
“We used to get between 25,000 and 26,000 doses a day, but this has fallen to between 20,000 and 21,000 doses now.“I texted the minister in charge last week but have yet to get a reply,” he told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting here yesterday.
Aminuddin said based on the latest update, two centres in Jempol would be closed this weekend.
“There may be more because it is pointless to keep the centres open if the number of people getting the vaccines is in the single digits,” he said, adding that the individuals would either be given their doses tomorrow or next week.
This comes even as the state is requesting to be moved to Phase Two.
Aminuddin said 85% of those above 18 years, who were eligible to be vaccinated, received the first dose and 66.3%, their second doses.He said usage of intensive care unit beds at hospitals had fallen to 77%.In addition, the number of Covid-19 cases has also dropped in recent days.
“With the developments, we hope to move to Phase Two of the NRP soon.
“We hope the National Security Council will meet quickly and provide an update,” he said, adding that the state has already written to the federal authorities to request a transition to the next phase.
Aminuddin said the vaccination exercise was also a success as the number of Categories 3, 4 and 5 cases in the state has dropped.
He said all the 343 cases reported on Monday were mild and asymptomatic.
The following day, only 10 of the 490 cases were in Category 3 and above.