PENAMPANG: Unlike other vaccination days, the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) here was slightly different as a lady clad in Kadazan attire with a crown walked in.

Like others who are eligible to get protection from Covid-19, the 21-year-old Maya Hejnowska is also getting her first dose of vaccine at the vaccination centre.

Present at the public area as Unduk Ngadau, the UMS music student aspires to inspire those who have yet register for the vaccines to come forward.

“It is very important that we do so as soon as possible as the vaccine is one of the means for us to safeguard ourselves and the people around us.

“Getting vaccinated is also the responsibility of all Sabahans as citizens.”

She also said that she understood that some people are scared of needles and being injected.

“That is also the case with me. But it isn’t really that frightening once you go through with it.

“It is true what some people say that the pain is merely like an ant-bite. For me, the process took a second and it was over and done with,” she said.

Sabah aims 50,000 Covid-19 daily dose

It is depressing to see another day of four-digit Covid-19 cases today, which Sabah Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the highest for the state this year.

The state recorded 1,166 cases , which is an increase of 164 from yesterday.

As the infection is already in the community, rather than localised, Masidi said lockdown was no longer an effective approach to contain it.

“In this situation where the virus has spread deep into the community and is very widespread, we do not think a lockdown will be an effective way to curb its spread anymore.

“What needs to be done is to expedite vaccination among the community,” he said.