ALOR SETAR, Sept 19 – Kedah will go all out to vaccinate the remaining of 17 percent of adults in its state who are yet to be vaccinated, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Many of them in 17 percent include those who do not want to be vaccinated, he said.
There is no issue of a shortage of vaccine supply in the state as there is adequate stock, he said during a press conference here today together with Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi following a meeting with the state Special Committee On Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (CITF).
Expressing hope that the 17 percent adults can all be vaccinated as soon as possible with the cooperation of all parties, he called on the MB to work with community leaders in districts such as Pendang and Baling where there are high number of adults who are also resisting getting vaccinated.
He said some of the ways to reach them will be through strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) are enhanced in areas like mosques and also working places where employers who can set out rules to ensure that their staff are vaccinated.
Kedah will also receive a capacity boost for its health facilities, Khairy said.
This will include the setting up of a modular intensive care unit where 10 ICU beds will be provided to the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani.
Apart from that the state will also receive an additional supply of 1,500 oxygen tanks, with more than half already delivered to the state and the remaining due next week, Khairy said.
He said staff will be also increased to the hospitals in the state including medical officers and nurses to meet the increased needs.
The Health Minister announced that the state will also start vaccinating teenagers in the state on Monday, either through vaccination centres or schools.
–WE