A TOTAL of 3,500 students aged 16 and 17 in Penang have been inoculated today under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Adolescents.
The vaccination programme is aimed at vaccinating as many students as possible in view of the nationwide school reopening in stages beginning Oct 3.
As announced recently by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, starting from Sept 23 (today), between 9am and 12pm, vaccination for all students aged between 16 and 17 years old without comorbidities would begin at six vaccination centres.
The six Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPVs) are the SPICE Convention Centre, Tapak Ekspo Seberang Jaya, Vangohh Eminent Hotel, Dewan Perda Convention Centre, Dewan Millenium in Kepala Batas and Dewan Serbaguna Sungai Bakap.
State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said all the students who have been vaccinated today received their appointment notification through the MySejahtera application.
“On the island, for the northeast district, 457 students aged 16 and 17 have been vaccinated, whereas for southwest district, there are 543 students.
“Meanwhile on the mainland, 1,000 students each in north Seberang Perai and in central Seberang Perai, and 500 students in south Seberang Perai have been inoculated.
“So in total, there are 3,500 students aged 16 and 17 who have received their jabs today,” said Soon during his visit to the PPV Dewan Millenium in Kepala Batas today.
Soon also urged teenagers aged 16 and 17, who have not registered yet for the Covid-19 vaccination, to do so immediately as the school reopening is just around the corner.
“I also hope the related ministries will ensure the vaccine supply to Penang will be sufficient and not disrupted, so that more people could receive their jabs,” he added.
He also suggested to the Federal Government to only allow students who have been vaccinated to go back to school.
“With this, I think it is the best way to minimise the risk of infection among students and to protect them as well,” said Soon.
Meanwhile, on the Penang island, the SPICE Convention Centre vaccination centre director Dr Norhashimah Ismail urged those students going for vaccination to come along with their parents or guardian.
“Kindly check the appointment session through the MySejahtera app before proceeding.
“As of now, everything is going on smoothly here and our side will ensure the vaccination process is carried out in a proper manner,” she said.
State Education Department (School Management) deputy director Abdul Said Hussain said many of them who came were looking forward to get their jabs.
“I hope those who have already been notified through MySejahtera app to come to have their vaccine before the school resumes gradually.
“Almost 99% of teachers had been vaccinated and many schools will be reopened soon,” he said.
Abdul Said expressed hopes that the total students eligible to receive the shots can reach 100% to ensure schools remain as one of the safe places.
Story by Riadz Akmal and Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis and Chan Kok Kuan