PENANG has urged all teachers and students to be vaccinated against Covid-19 ahead of the reopening of schools in October.

State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the safety and health of students and teachers should not be taken lightly as the number of daily Covid-19 cases in the country is still high.

“In my opinion, all children should be given the same opportunity to receive the vaccine. Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow through the national security council has recorded a request for Penang to also be given the opportunity to receive the vaccine,” he said today.

Jagdeep was referring to the vaccination of teenagers aged 16 and 17, and adolescents aged 12 to 15 suffering from high-risk diseases, which had been rolled out in Sarawak, and which is set to be implemented in Selangor.

As of September 9, 1.33 million people in Penang have registered for the Covid-19 vaccine.

A total of 906,768 recipients or 51.1% of the adult population in Penang have been fully vaccinated, while 1.2 million Penang residents or 69.5% have received their first dose. 

As of yesterday, Penang recorded a total of 103,149 infections, with an active case count of 11,969 and 850 recorded deaths. – Bernama, September 10, 2021.