STATE executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo has called upon the Federal Government to look into Penang and other states as well for their teenagers to be vaccinated as schools are scheduled to reopen next month.
He applauded the Health Ministry for carrying out the Covid-19 vaccination programme for teenagers in Sarawak on Wednesday, which would be followed by Selangor.
“We’ve heard the calls for teens who are going back to school to be vaccinated.
“We thank the Federal Government for having started the vaccination drive for teens in Sarawak and to be followed by Selangor. But it is limited to a few states at the moment.
‘And we call upon the Government to look into Penang and other states as well. All children should have equal treatment.
“If they find it so important to vaccinate (the teens), then is should be across the board,” Jagdeep said at a press conference after announcing the Penang government’s approval to upgrade the lifts of Sri Saujana Apartment in Jalan Macallum, George Town.
Jagdeep, who is the state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman, said he hoped Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who would be meeting Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in Penang tomorrow, would take note of the matter.
Khairy was reported to have said the plan to vaccinate teenagers would be conducted in tandem with the resumption of classes.
He said they may not be to complete vaccinating all teenagers before schools reopen but they will continue to do so in schools during the school sessions.
Jagdeep added that at the state Security Council meeting two days ago, he had stated that it must be ensured that all teachers are vaccinated and that all children going back to schools are also vaccinated.
He said there are some quarters who had voiced that the vaccination for teens should be postponed until the current vaccination drive for adults has been completed. This, he said, should also be studied.
“Most importantly is that we cannot compromise on the safety and health of our children. There are currently so many cases in Penang and also different variants in the world,” Jagdeep said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan