HAVING seen his first term badly disrupted by Covid-19, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow now has his work cut out for him as he aims to steer the state into post-pandemic recovery.
Follow me: Malaysian Civil Defence Force staff Norhafizah Hanim Hairman waving the Jalur Gemilang to usher those coming to get vaccinated to their designated queue at the mega vaccination centre, Axiata Arena. YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Being part of the national vaccination drive has been a great experience for two young doctors who believe the lessons gained will help them overcome future challenges.
Dr Teoh Cher Shong and Dr Chuah Su Ying, both 27, just completed their internship at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre and decided to become health volunteers while waiting for their placements as medical officers.
“I’m encouraged by people’s enthusiasm to get vaccinated despite rumours and fake information spread by anti-vaxxers.
IF ALL goes well, Penang could achieve Covid-19 herd immunity earlier than expected, with 70% or 1.38 million people, getting vaccinated by August.
State health committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin said the present vaccination of 14, 814 daily doses this month would be ramped up to 35, 165 doses next month, and 35, 572 doses in August.
She said 103, 627 targeted recipients in the state had obtained the first dose while another 73, 607 had received both doses as of June 3.
Dr Norlela said a comprehensive plan was presented at the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) meeting recently.
“All our systems are in place to attain this. These proposals were discussed at an earlier CITF meeting.
THE National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) will be ramped up further with three Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPVs) at private hospitals in Penang fully operational from Monday.