THE long waiting period for vaccination, those under the non-critical category, and anti-vaxxers are creating hurdles to the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).
Therefore, the Government should consider allowing private medical centres and private clinics to purchase COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinate those who can afford to pay to expedite the 80% vaccination target, says Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
In a statement, Lee added that this must be adequately and relentlessly addressed by the Government.
“In this effort, the COVID-19 Vaccination Advisory Committee should seek the help and cooperation of community-based non-governmental organisations and religious bodies, as well as start messaging campaigns in various languages to ally unfounded fears,” the social activist commented.
“These steps will go a long way to expedite the 80% vaccination target and thus, reduce the period of stress and anxiety that is now enveloping the nation.”
Lee also stressed that the warning by Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah of a possible rise in the number of COVID-19 cases was a clarion call to all Malaysian’s to be extra vigilant in a common effort to stem the spread of COVID-19.
“Make no mistake, the threat is real and we let our guard down at our own peril. We must never be complacent,” Lee cautioned.
“Based on his extrapolation over the past three days, the COVID-19 reproduction number (Rt) had risen to 1.0, the highest since the beginning of March.” – March 28, 2021
