Shahelmey presents Aidilfitri goodies to a member of the media.
KOTA KINABALU (May 10): Those eligible under Phase II of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme but have yet to register for vaccination can do so at immunisation centres, said Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister Shahelmey Yahya.
He said Phase II of the programme focuses on the elderly and those with comorbidities.
Those who have registered for vaccination on the MySejahtera application but have yet to receive their appointment date could also check on and update their status at the immunisation centres, he said.
Shahelmey was responding to claims on social media that walk-ins for vaccination were accepted at immunisation centres here.
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“I have received reports of walk-ins allowed at vaccination centres. I wish to clarify that the walk-in is for registration, not for vaccination,” he said, adding some who walked in to register managed to get vaccinated the same day due to no-shows or cancellations by those with appointments.
He explained that this was the case with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which has to be used immediately due to its short shelf life or else it would have to be discarded, resulting in wastage.
“I appeal to those who have their appointments to please show up as we cannot afford wastage of vaccines,” he said after presenting Hari Raya Aidilfitri goodies to the media yesterday.
He lamented that some are still doubtful and wary about vaccination and called on those in the media who have been inoculated to share their testimonies and allay the fears of the public.
Shahelmey also said that the Sabah state cabinet has decided not to hold its Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house as well as the state-level Pesta Kaamatan celebration this year.
He said the state government has also decided to ban inter-district travel during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period from today (May 10) to May 16.
He stressed the restriction is not to cause trouble nor deny people from celebrating Aidilfitri, but to ensure the safety of all and also to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“This is the same reason for the decision of no Pesta Kaamatan celebration this year. We are aware that May is the time for the harvest festival celebration but we need to control the people’s movements and social events.
“After dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic for more than a year, the authorities found that social gatherings and movements of the people are among causes for the spike in cases,” he said.
He added all the necessary preventive measures and vigilance are necessary to prevent Sabah from being in the situation that India is in now.
The Tanjung Keramat assemblyman also appealed to the public to donate blood as the supply at the blood bank is low.