KOTA KINABALU: The expansion of the Covid-19 vaccination drive to reach far-flung areas in Sabah is beginning to take shape.
A group of doctors, nurses and volunteers from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the supervision of the state Health Department has reached out to the people of remote villages in the Sonsogon hinterland in Sabah's northern Kota Marudu district.
The team, in four-wheel-drive vehicles, vaccinated 300 villagers under the first phase of the Outreach Kota Marudu Programme launched by Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
"There are over 700 villagers from eight villages scattered within this hilly area.
"Of the figure, some 300 were the focus of vaccination for now," he said on Wednesday (June 23) at the launch of the three-day vaccination programme at Kampung Sungai Magandai.
Mobile teams have been moving into the interior in many parts of the state over the past two weeks.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is expected to launch the vaccination drive in the remote highland area of Long Pasia in south-western Sipitang district on Thursday (June 24).
For the Kota Marudu district as of mid-June, data showed that 15,265 people have registered for the vaccination programme via MySejahtera with 6,018 receiving their first dose and 1,949 completing both doses.
Ongkili said the outreach programme would benefit the villagers who do not have easy access to urban areas.
"The response has been a bit slow but encouraging, and we hope more will come forward," he said.
Ongkili, who is Kota Marudu MP, said: "Although the vaccine is not an antidote, at least it builds antibodies to fight against the deadly virus. We need to protect ourselves first to protect others.
"So do not be afraid of the vaccine. It saves lives," he said.
During the campaign, Ongkili also donated a wheelchair to six-year-old special needs child Shalvendra Sius, whose mother Jasika Linggin accepted it on her behalf.