KOTA KINABALU: The Special Committee For Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) has been urged to consider sending more vaccines to Sabah to build the momentum of immunisation here.

       Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said while the vaccination administration programme has been going on smoothly, there are still many rural folks that have yet to be inoculated.

       “As of last Friday (June 18), Sabah recorded 306,280 recipients of the first dose, and 122,485 individuals have completed the second dose.

       “This translates to a 10.44% vaccination rate for the first dose, and 4.18% vaccination rate for the second dose.

       “To continue the momentum, JKJAV should consider sending more vaccine to the state, as there are still a lot more out there in the rural areas who have not received the vaccination due to the communication gap factor,” said Arthur in a statement on Tuesday (June 22) after visiting the Sook community hall, a vaccine administration centre (PPV) at the sub-district that commenced operations on Monday (June 21).

       He said that the Sook PPV is expected to cater to 400 doses a day for communities in Sook and surrounding areas, which will help to improve vaccination rate among rural folks.

       Arthur said there are five PPVs at present under Pensiangan parliamentary constituency, namely the Nabawan health clinic, Balai Budaya Salarom Taka, Pagalungan health clinic and Pensiangan health clinic, and the Sook PPV.

       “A request has been made to Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme coordinating committee to open another PPV at the Nabawan community hall to cater to the huge number of residents,” he added.

       Arthur noted the efforts of the Health Ministry and the assistance of district offices to reach remote areas in Sabah that often lack communication access, through the outreach programme to ensure the residents there get registered to be vaccinated.