KUCHING: The announcement by Sarawak Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) to allow “walk-in” is definitely something to cheer about on the eve of Sarawak day.

Yesterday, CITF had stated that all vaccination centres in the state are allowed to give vaccine for whoever that come without vaccination.

“Those who have yet received their first dose vaccination appointment are encouraged to contact respective Disaster Management Division committee starting from July 23 until August 5.

“Vaccination appointments can be made by contacting the JPBB Operations Room at 082-5077 00 or 082-5070 22 (Kuching), 082-6738 33 (Samarahan), 082-8724 72 (Serian), 083-3200 84 (Sri Aman), 083-4728 66 (Betong), 084-6543 96 (Sarikei), 084-3179 34/ 084-3156 53/ 084-3225 81 (Sibu), 013-6689 968 (Kapit), 084-8720 88 (Mukah), 086-3317 42 (Bintulu), 085-3227 37 (Miri) and 085-2117 44 (Limbang).”

As of yesterday, Sarawak placed second in the national vaccination statistics with 35.5 or over 1 million of the total state population has completed two doses of vaccine.

Its neighbour Federal Territory of Labuan, topped the rank with almost half or 46,585 of its population are inoculated.

No walk-in yet for vaccination in Sabah, despite being the lowest in statistics

In contrary, Sabah ranked the lowest with less than 10 per cent or 371,520 people gotten two doses of vaccines.

As of yesterday, it was reported by Sabah Health Exco Shahelmey Yahya saying that people still have to follow appointments from MySejahtera app.

No walk ins are allowed but senior citizen aged 60 and above are exempted. He said that such excemption by certain CITF or vaccination centres were to encourage elderly people to be vaccinated.

Last month, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had announced a daily target of 30,000 vaccine doses to be administered with 1 million dose starting July 1.

He had also said that a million doses are expected to arrive in Sabah this month.

The Sabah Perikatan Nasional chairman also said the delay of vaccine supply was due to late arrival to the country.

Earlier this week, newly minted state Health director Dr Rose Nani Mudin had also said that the delay of vaccine supply was also due to Health Ministry prioritising states with higher Covid-19 cases.