GEORGE TOWN: The second dose of vaccination in Penang is expected to pick up when those receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine get their jabs next week.
Similarly, several vaccination centres (PPV) under the Public Private Industry Immunisation Programme (PIKAS), will also be administering the second jabs from next week.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this would allow the state to achieve a 40 per cent vaccination rate and ease into Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
"Penang is committed to achieving 100 per cent of the first dose vaccination rate for the adult population by early September.
"For now, Penang is one of top six states in vaccination rates for first and second doses, with a total of 1,100,073 people vaccinated -- 786,878 people having received their first dose and another 313,195 already received their second dose.
"Based on our population, this means 44.4 per cent have received their first dose, which is higher than the national percentage of 44.3 per cent while 17.7 per cent have received their second dose," he said today.
In terms of the adult population in Penang, Chow said a total of 57.6 per cent of adults in the state have received their first dose and 22.9 per cent their second dose.
Chow hoped the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) would continue to boost vaccine supplies to the state this month, adding that the Penang government and the state Health Department have yet to receive any information on the number of vaccines that will be arriving in the second week of August and thereafter.
"We hope the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will keep the state informed on the number of Covid-19 vaccine supplies coming this month," he added.
Meanwhile, Chow said the CITF has approved a proposal for another PPV at Vangohh Eminent Hotel and Spa to speed up vaccination rate in Seberang Prai Tengah. With a capacity of 2,000 doses per day, the PPV will begin operation next Monday (Aug 9).
"With the addition, there will be four PPVs in the district including the PPV at SP Arena, Seberang Jaya expo ground and One Hope Charity in Juru. The four PPVs will be able to administer 4,800 jabs daily," he added.