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NIP's Phase 2 kicks off in Penang; CM hopes more will register [NSTTV]

GEORGE TOWN: Phase 2 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) proceeded smoothly in Penang this morning, with some 2,000 elderly, disabled and individuals with chronic diseases among those who received their coranavirus inoculation at five Vaccine Delivery Centres (PPV) statewide.

Many of the elderly, accompanied by their loved ones, came as early as 7.30am to await their turn for the vaccination jabs.

They praised the health workers for the efficient arrangements and prompt services.

At the Caring Society Complex here, some 400 of the elderly were vaccinated today.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, accompanied by state Health Department director Datuk Dr Asmayani Khalib, visited the Caring Society Complex here.

He urged more Penangites to come forward to register for the vaccination, pointing to the fact that registration was still slow.

"In terms of registration, the progress is still slow. I would have thought that we have achieved 50 per cent registration, but as at Saturday, we were only at 44.8 per cent.

"This shows that registration has been slow, and I hope that with the launch of phase 2, registration will pick up for us to achieve our target (of having another 70 per cent of our people vaccinated to create a herd immunity)," he said.

Chow hoped that with the launch of phase 2 today, it would give confidence to others out there to also come forward to be vaccinated.

"Although we realised that the vaccine's logistics and supply will affect the smooth running of the vaccination process, at this stage, I believe we are able to meet the numbers of those who have registered.

"As for those who have registered, we urged them to check their MySejahtera application so that they will know their dates of vaccination. This is because about 30 per cent for those who have registered have not checked their status.

"And so again, we hope that with the launch of phase 2, this will create greater awareness among the people, and that we will be on track to achieve the target of the programme in Penang of 1.34 million people here," he added.

Dr Asmayani said Penang was among the earliest states to begin phase 2 of the NIP.

"We are excited to see the elderly group coming to get the vaccine without any doubt.

"This goes to show that they have confidence in the government's NIP programme," she added.

Dr Asmayani said while registration has shown progress, with Penang being the Top 4 or Top 5 state, more needs to be done to encourage the people to step forward.

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