GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government has urged the Health Ministry to speed up the administration of booster doses to frontline workers and senior citizens to better protect them from Covid-19.
State Agro-tech and Food Safety, Rural and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin said the administration of booster doses in the state was relatively slow, where out of 41,000 frontline workers, only 16,000 had received their booster doses.
"The administration of booster doses in Penang is very slow. I am worried for frontline workers and senior citizens, especially those living in care centres.
"They are a group that is vulnerable to the risk of infection and we request the Health Ministry to expedite the administration of booster doses to frontline workers and senior citizens," she said today.
To date, a total 2,999,392 individuals have completed the Covid-19 vaccination.
The state entered Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) last Monday.
As of yesterday, a total 245 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Penang with the current active case at 1,944 cases.
According to Norlela, booster dose injections were slower in Penang compared to other states as the state was only given 1,419 booster doses yesterday compared to 20,705 in Sarawak and 9,586 in Selangor.
"I have voiced this matter on Oct 15 at the Pandemic Management Committee meeting so the administration of booster doses can be sped up in Penang," she added.
According to Norlela, what is more worrying now is that the state border has reopened, coupled with the Melaka State Election, which may bring a high risk of Covid-19 infections to the people.
"We don't want Covid-19 cases in Penang to increase like back in August and September 2021 when the effectiveness of the vaccine starts to decline after six months of the second dose taken.
"Because of that, those at risk need to be given booster doses of Covid-19 quickly," he said.