IPOH: People here are hoping that the AstraZeneca Covid-19 opt-in vaccination programme will be extended to Perak owing to rising cases in the state.

Translator Chow Jia Long, 35, said there should not be any “rethink” as the situation in Perak was quite serious.

“The number of positive cases is getting higher. The government should prioritise getting people vaccinated as quickly as possible.

“A reason for the slow vaccination process is the lack of vaccination centres and manpower. It is said that there is an abundance (of AstraZeneca vaccines) in other states.

“Perak should also get an allocation, ” he added.

The second round of bookings for the AstraZeneca vaccine started on May 23 for those aged 60 and above, with 1.2 million doses being offered to people in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor and Sarawak.

To date, Perak has over 18,000 cumulative cases and the highest Covid-19 infectivity rate in the country currently.

Chow said the state government should also consider buying its own supply of vaccines.

“Our mentri besar recently allocated RM200,000 to all 59 assemblymen. The money could have been used to get the vaccines, ” he said.

Photographer Khairul Eezuan Zulkepli, 30, said he would gladly sign up for the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“The vaccine will not only immunise me but could ensure the safety of my family. The government needs to hasten the vaccination programme.

“As a member of the media and a frontliner, I often ask when we will get the vaccine as the spike in cases here is worrying, ” he added.

A cook, who wished to be known only as Ramesh, said the state government should speak up to bring in more vaccines for Perakians.

“The mentri besar and the state executive council members are already fully vaccinated. They should speak up for the man in the street.

“It could be the AstraZeneca, Sinovac or Pfizer-BioNTech, Perak needs to expedite the vaccination process, ” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/26/perakians-want-opt-in-for-az-vaccine-too