KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is on track to reach herd immunity before the end of October with the arrival of the single-dose CanSino vaccines, says Sabah Community Development and People's Well-being Minister Shahelmey Yahya.

       "The state government is confident that 60% of the targeted adult population will receive at least one dose by early September.

       "Before the end of September, recipients will have received both doses and those fully vaccinated will be over 60%," he said in a statement on Saturday (Aug 28), replying to claims questioning the state government's commitment in handling the Covid-19 situation.

       "We are also confident that with the addition of CanSino vaccines for Sabah, the target to reach 80% herd immunity in Sabah can be realised before the end of October," he said in the statement.

       According to Shahelmey, bed capacity in hospitals for Covid-19 patients is sufficient, despite the higher number of cases.

       "There are also enough ventilators at this moment," he added.

       Shahelmey said the Opposition should help play a role in ensuring the immunisation programme is successful in Sabah.

       On claims about vaccine shortages, he said despite limited supplies at present, Sabah still managed to administer 53,655 doses on Friday (Aug 27).