Awareness campaigns, legal action to tackle anti-vaxxers in Sabah

 By Olivia Miwil - September 29, 2021 @ 1:46pm

Awareness campaigns will be continued to emphasise the importance of the Covid-19 vaccination, says state Community Development and People's Well Being Minister Shahelmy Yahya. - NSTP/LUQMAN HAKIM ZUBIR

KOTA KINABALU: Awareness campaigns will be continued to emphasise the importance of the Covid-19 vaccination, said state Community Development and People's Well Being Minister Shahelmy Yahya.

He said they were working closely with all related agencies and organisations to reach out to the people, including those in the rural areas and educate them on the importance of getting vaccinated.

He said this in response to recent reports of people rejecting the vaccine, including an unvaccinated woman who filed a judicial review to challenge the standard operating procedures.

"I believe their numbers (anti-vaxxers) are not big but it is a matter of concern as their actions may influence others," said Shahelmey who is also state Immunisation operations director.

Sabah Health director Dr Rose Nani echoed the sentiments on anti-vaxxers in the state.

"If we find they are making false statements on the vaccination programme, we will report them to the police," she said.

Based on Sept 27 statistics, Kinabatangan has the lowest adult vaccination rate at 38.5 per cent.

Telupid is at 45 per cent, Tongod (47.7), Sandakan (49.3), Tawau (51.2), Papar (52.2), Semporna (52.6), Nabawan (56.4), Keningau (58) and Kunak (59.8).

Yesterday, the state announced that only districts with a 60 percent adult vaccination rate would be included in the zoning system. The rest will remain under the 'stand-alone district' status.

Sabah has six zones for inter-district travel. They are: Zone 1 – Kota Kinabalu, Kota Belud, Ranau, Tuaran, Penampang, Putatan and Papar; Zone 2 – Beaufort, Kuala Penyu and Sipitang; Zone 3 – Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas.

Zone 4 is Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan and Tongod; Zone 5 – Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kunak and Kalabakan; Zone 6 – Keningau, Tambunan and Tenom.

Meanwhile, Semporna Bumiputra Tourism Association chairman Kerino Jalani said by using the vaccination rate as a parameter to allow inter-district travel, tourism in the district would have to suffer longer.

"Most tourism players had completed their vaccination, while the rest might be undocumented people, sea gypsies, or those who have moved to other districts for work.

"Semporna has more than half of its adult population vaccinated, the government should consider letting people from other districts to come in," he said.