SHAH ALAM, May 21 — The Federal government has been urged to increase Covid-19 vaccine distribution to Selangor due to the state’s high population density.
Selangor state executive councillor for public health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said the vaccination programme is crucial to prevent infections and reduce the experience of severe symptoms such as shortness of breath.
“The number of vaccines distributed is beyond the state government’s jurisdiction, the Health Ministry is the one that determines (the figure) under the phases (of the national vaccination plan) since the supply is imported.
“Selangor is only able to support in terms of providing locations for the vaccination centres (PPV), but I have to state that the distribution process is slow considering only 3.3 per cent of the state population were inoculated as of May 17,” said Dr Siti Mariah on the online talk show series ‘Ask Anything’ titled ‘Covid-19: Is Free Screenings the Best Solution?’ broadcast live on Facebook today.
The state government has intended to procure some five million doses for the people of Selangor to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the state.
The process to purchase some 2.5 million doses of vaccine for approximately 1.25 million people is in its final stage, which is expected to be finalised sometime next month.
Meanwhile, Selangor Task Force for Covid-19 (STFC) committee member Dr Helmi Zakariah said that the recent upsurge in infections in Selangor was due to the high population.
“Selangor does not only record a high number in Covid-19 cases, but the same goes for other illnesses as well such as dengue and diabetes due to the high population.
“But the continuous screening will help us in containing the spread of the outbreak. If the number of cases is high but the death toll remains low, then it shows the strategy is effective,” he said.
