SIX states with low vaccination rates must inoculate more than 50% of their adult populations with two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine by the end of September, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.

The six states and full vaccination coverage of their adult populations are Terengganu (46.2%), Perak (46.5%), Johor (44.9%), Kelantan (43.2%), Kedah (43%) and Sabah (37.1%).

“I have discussed with the secretary-general of the Health Ministry and Mosti (Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry) so that our focus is on these six states,” he said at a press conference at the mass vaccination centre at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.

“I want these six states to exceed 50% coverage by the end of September.

“I don’t want to see any more states which (have a vaccination coverage) of below 50%.”

Ismail said if there are delays or disruptions in supply, the government will use the available stock to carry out the vaccination programme.

“We don’t want to delay (the programme) simply by waiting for the delivery of vaccines promised to us should there be any delays,” he said, adding that the people will become victims if the wait is long.

“Forget about those who are late. We will use what we have so that we can complete the vaccination programme without any disruption.”

He said the government could instead use the Sinovac vaccine, which is bottled by local pharmaceutical giant Pharmaniaga Bhd.

He said Sabah is also set to receive more supplies of the single-dose CanSino vaccine.

Ismail was at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur to witness the inoculation of the millionth vaccine recipient.

The jab to 38-year-old photographer Zamratulazmi Sarmadi was administered by deputy director-general of health (research and technical support) Dr Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim. – August 29, 2021.