THE monsoon season may be looming but Johor plans to continue its Covid-19 vaccination programme even as the state prepares for the expected widespread flooding.

The northeast monsoon season is expected to begin next month and will last throughout the first quarter of next year.

The monsoon season is usually accompanied by floods that affects east coast states, Johor as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

The states have gone into overdrive to vaccinate their citizens in anticipation that the annual floods will cause havoc to the vaccination drive during the monsoon season.

The Covid-19 outbreak has so far infected close to 2.2 million people and claimed 25,159 lives.

Latest data reveal that more than 42 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered, seven months since the national immunisation programme began on February 24.

The Special Committee for Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply said 19.48 million people, or 83.1% of the adult population or 59.7% of the general population, have been fully vaccinated against the virus.

Johor health and environment committee chairman R. Vidyananthan told The Malaysian Insight that the vaccination programme will carry on as usual unless the location of the vaccination centres are affected by floods.

“If there is a location affected by floods, any person who is scheduled to get their vaccination can inform the health team at the flood shelter and the appointment will be rescheduled,” he said.

Vidyananthan said based on the current forecast by the meteorological department, rainfall in Johor is still within normal levels.

Meanwhile, Terengganu local government, housing, health and environment committee chairman Alias Razak said vaccination coverage in the state will hit 90% in two to three weeks’ time.

“Therefore, the issue of vaccination during floods does not arise. We hope to achieve the target before the monsoon arrives,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob had said the state will ensure that the vaccination drive is completed before the monsoon season begins.

Earlier this month, Ahmad had said 20,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been allocated for several villages identified as flood-prone areas.

“The state government has been speeding up the vaccination programme to villagers at these areas. If possible, we want them to complete their jabs by the end of this month,” he said.

Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said he was optimistic the state will be able to attain its herd immunity target at the end of October.

Earlier this month, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Adham Baba said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had agreed for vaccination to be expedited at the east coast and Johor to prevent any issues during the monsoon season.

Johor has vaccinated 54.8% of its general population and 76.3% of its adult population as of yesterday. The vaccination coverage in Terengganu is 52.9% for the general population and 82.1 % for adults.

Pahang has inoculated 68.2% of its adult population and 47.8% of the general population while Kelantan has vaccinated 65.5% of adults in the state and 42.5% of the total population. – September 27, 2021.