KOTA KINABALU: With schools reopening on March 21, Sabah is still far below the 50% vaccination target for children under the age of 11, says a state minister.

       Sabah Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the vaccination rate for children between the ages of five and 11 remains at a low of about 23%.

       "With school reopening in just a few days, we are still far from reaching the 50% vaccination target for children under the age of 11.

       “We hope parents will consider getting their children inoculated as soon as possible," he said during an outreach programme in Putatan, near here, on Thursday (March 17).

       As for the state's booster rate, Shahelmey said it is "not encouraging as well".

       He urged everyone eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine and booster shots to get theirs as the nation prepares its transition into the endemic phase.

       “I hope adults who have yet to get their booster shots, especially the elderly and those with existing illnesses such as high blood pressure, will get theirs,” he added.

       Shahelmey said with the state transitioning into the endemic state come April 1, there will be the reopening of international borders and more social and economic activities, which could lead to an increase in the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

       “If you have been vaccinated and received your booster, at least the severity of Covid-19 symptoms will be less if you contract the virus,” he added.

       Out of Wednesday’s (March 16) new daily cases of 708, over 10% were children under the age of 11 and about 10% those above 60 years old.

       Previously, it was reported that many parents still insisted on waiting rather than promptly getting their young children vaccinated out of uncertainty and fear of the symptoms their children might have after getting jabbed.

       It was the same for adults choosing to hold on from taking their booster shot.