KOTA KINABALU: The actual number of vaccinated Sabahans is higher despite national statistics showing that Sabah is still lagging behind in terms of its vaccination rate.
Sabah Covid-19 immunisation programme operations director Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said this was because many Sabahans were vaccinated outside the state.
"The statistic showed that the vaccination rate in Sabah has reached 72 per cent of its adult population, but on the ground the number is higher.
"The data is being harmonised. Following a meeting attended by Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun with the Covid-19 national committee, the Health Minister agreed that the percentage in Sabah is actually higher than 72 per cent," he told the media after opening the Anne Psychology Centre & Counseling Clinic at Golden Centre Plaza Putatan.
Shahelmey, who is also state Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister, added that there was no anti-vaccine issues in Sabah, although there may be a few who were not open to Covid-19 vaccines.
"Vaccine supply is adequate. Yes, some Sabahans have not been vaccinated, but it's not because they are anti-vaccine. They are just hesitant, because they are unsure about the vaccines.
"When the standard opening procedures (SOP) are further relaxed and only the vaccinated are allowed the benefits, those unvaccinated will realise that they need to get vaccinated."
On another note, Shahelmey said Sabah was focusing on the home-to-home outreach programme at four districts in the east coast – Kinabatangan, Tongod, Sandakan and Tawau. These districts have yet to vaccinate at least 60 per cent of its adult population.
"As of Oct 22, Tawau only recorded 56.80 per cent, Sandakan 56.56 per cent, Tongod 51.92 per cent while Kinabatangan 71.97 per cent," he said.
Beaufort recorded the highest vaccination rate at 108.07 per cent followed by Putatan (110.24 per cent), Kuala Penyu (95.91 per cent), Kota Kinabalu (91.06 per cent), Tuaran (87.57 per cent), Pitas (82.96 per cent), Beluran (82.76 per cent), Kota Marudu (81.74 per cent), Lahad Datu (81.43 per cent), Sipitang (80.69 per cent), Penampang (80.37 per cent), Kudat (77.66 per cent), Ranau (74.21 per cent), Semporna (73.83 per cent), Tenom (73.69 per cent) and Kota Belud (70.03 per cent).
Another five districts recorded a vaccination rate below 70 per cent - Keningau (67.26 per cent), Kunak (67.02 per cent) Tambunan 66.34 per cent), Nabawan (62.94) per cent, and Papar (61.01 per cent).
Currently, only 16 of the 57 public vaccination centres (PPVs) across Sabah will remain open to the public while the remaining 41 will stop operations as Sabah approaches herd immunity.