THE Penang government is now working with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) and Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) on vaccination effort for economic frontliners.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state wanted to ensure that the economic frontliners could receive their jabs efficiently.
“We want to develop a ‘system’ to cater to the economic frontliners.
“There are about 300,000 economic frontliners and we are aiming to get this effort under way.
“The initiatives are being planned and would be announced to the people soon,” he told reporters after visiting the Covid-19 vaccination centre (PPV) in SP Arena, Seberang Jaya today.
During the visit, Chow was briefed on the number of people receiving the vaccines.
He was also greeted by some of the senior citizens, who received their vaccine.
The officers at the PPV also ensured that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) were adhered to at all times.
Chow said there were three main challenges the state was facing to accelerate its vaccination effort in order to achieve a herd immunity by October.
The three challenges are the vaccine supply, the number of PPVs and manpower.
“Therefore, on Tuesday (June 8), we will see how we can set up more PPVs and mobilise our resources, including volunteers, and facilities to support the accelerated plan.
“The state hopes more private hospitals and clinics will step forward to assist us in the vaccination effort under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).
“We have already appointed six private hospitals to assist us.
“Besides that, clinics can also be used as small-scale PPVs whereby 50 to 100 doses of vaccine can be given to the people daily,” he added.
In a related development, Chow pointed out that a total of 828,582 people (59.8%) in Penang had registered themselves under NIP as of June 3.
“I believe that about 60% of the population in Penang have registered for the vaccination programme as of June 3.
“Meanwhile, a total of 103,627 people have received their first dose; while 73,607 have completed their second dose.
“We need to instil confidence in more people and getting them to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity,” he said.
Also present were Permatang Pasir assemblyman Faiz Fadzil, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud, state secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar, and state Health Department personnel.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Law Suun Ting