THE National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) centre at the Sungai Nibong Pesta Site is now open.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the centre was set up to increase the immunisation rate among children against Covid-19.
“Four more PICKids centres will be open on Feb 14. They are Sunshine Bayan Baru hall (southwest district), Sunshine Bertam (north Seberang Perai), Seberang Jaya Expo Site (central Seberang Perai), and Dewan MPKK Bandar Cassia (south Seberang Perai),” Chow told a media conference after opening the PICKids centre at Sungai Nibong Pesta Site today.
“The national-level PICKids was launched on Feb 3 by the Health Minister.
“In Penang, the implementation of PICKids involving children with comorbidities had started on Feb 7 at the Penang Hospital, and at Hospital Seberang Jaya on Feb 9,” Chow said.
He added that the Penang Health Department was working together with the state Education Department and the District Education Offices to provide Covid-19 vaccines for children in schools for those areas which are located far from the designated vaccination centres.
“According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, Penang has 155,800 children aged five to 11.
“The objective of immunising the children is to prevent them from severe complications and (possible) death from Covid-19.
“Although the immunisation programme for children is on a voluntary basis with the consent of the parents, the state government encourages the parents to get their children vaccinated,” he said.
On a separate matter, Chow said the Covid-19 situation in Penang was still under control.
“This is despite new infections in the state and country continue to show an increasing trend.
“Most cases recorded were under Category 1 and 2a.
“Our public health facility is still able to provide the necessary support and we are prepared for any eventuality,” he said.
Penang Health Department director Dr Ma’arof Sudin the occupancy level at both low-risk quarantine and treatment centres (PKRCs) in Jawi and Penang Hospital was under control.
“We can open the PKRC at Caring Society Complex if the need arises.
“Meanwhile, it is untrue that Penang is facing a shortage of Covid-19 vaccines.
“We have sufficient vaccine supply for the people of Penang. In fact, we have excess of AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines,” he responded to a news report which highlighted the shortage of Covid-19 vaccines in Penang.
Over at the PICKid centre in Sungai Nibong Pesta Site, the children were excited to meet their favourite superhero, the ‘Man of Steel’, and the characters from the Mario games, Mario and Luigi.
The children were also entertained by a balloonist clown while waiting for their turn to be inoculated.
Also present were Penang State Secretary Datuk Dr Ahmad Jailani Muhamed Yunus, state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, and Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis