KUCHING: Some 90.7% of Sarawak's adult population have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, says the state Health Department.

It also said 121,030 adolescents aged 12 to 17, or 41% of the 295,174 population in this age group, had received both doses of the vaccine as of Sunday (Oct 17).

"A total of 231,803 teens aged 12 to 17 or 79.1% have been given the first dose as of Oct 17.

"The target is for all teens aged 12 to 17 to be fully vaccinated by Oct 31," the department said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 19).

Sarawak began vaccinating 16- and 17-year-olds on Sept 8, along with 12- to 15-year-olds with comorbidities

Other 12- to 15-year-olds with no comorbidities began receiving the vaccine from Sept 24.

With the progress of the teen vaccination, 70.1% of the state's population have received both doses of the vaccine as of Sunday.

In addition, the department said a total of 11,156 booster doses had been administered in the state since the booster programme began last Wednesday (Oct 13).

It said senior citizens would receive the booster dose at private clinics and hospitals, while health frontliners would be given their booster shots at their respective health facilities.

"Those eligible for booster shots can contact the health facilities involved to obtain an appointment.

"The list of participating private clinics and hospitals will be announced through the mass media and social media to facilitate the appointment process," the department said.

Last week the department said the booster shots would be given to some 11,900 immunocompromised individuals, 80,300 senior citizens above 60 and 30,340 health frontliners in the state.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/19/almost-91-of-sarawak039s-adult-population-fully-vaccinated