THE Federal Government needs to ensure that its Covid-19 vaccine supplies to Penang are smooth and sufficient, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
“In Penang, everything has been planned well. But it will not be enough if it is not supported by the supply of vaccines.
“The operations at the Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPVs) will be affected without smooth and sufficient supply of vaccines.
“Penang will be receiving an additional 210,000 doses of vaccines making it a total of 917,220 doses of vaccines for the month of August, thanks to the effort taken by the state government.
“We hope that more vaccine supplies can be given to Penang,” Chow told reporters after visiting the PPV Bukit Jawi Golf Resort today.
The PPV is currently vaccinating those who registered under the ‘Program Vaksinasi Barisan Sektor Ekonomi Negeri Pulau Pinang’ (PVac).
Chow said a PPV was supposed to start vaccinating those from the construction industry but it had to be postponed because the supply of vaccines was disrupted.
“Meanwhile, we understand that a PPV has been approved to vaccinate those who are working in shopping malls. The PPV is waiting to be given a date to start operating,” he said.
Chow added that the Penang local councils had been ordered to get the details of hawkers, cafe and restaurant workers so that they could be vaccinated.
He thanked all parties who were involved in the state’s PVac programme.
State Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin said the PVac initiative focused on those from non-manufacturing sectors.
They include farmers, breeders, retailers and those who works in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The programme is managed by the State Economic Planning Division (BPEN).
BPEN deputy secretary Muhamad Husni Mahmud said the registration for PVac was opened on Aug 3.
“We managed to hit our target of 20,000 registrations within two days.
“We are currently screening the registrations to check their eligibility. So far 18,427 people are eligible for the programme.
“The screening process is still ongoing,” he said.
Muhamad Husni added that the PPV started its operation under the programme yesterday (Aug 9). A total of 612 people were vaccinated under the PVac programme on the first day.
Also present were Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik and Jawi assemblyman H’ng Mooi Lye.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar