THE Penang state government through its health department plans to open more facilities to administer Covid-19 vaccine booster jabs in an effort to provide better access for people in the state.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state health department was in the midst of identifying healthcare organisations (HCOs) that could assist to provide suitable halls for the purpose.

“As of yesterday, 73 private facilities (clinics and hospitals) as well as an HCO with a capacity of administering over 1,000 shots a day have been operating as booster dose facilities in the state.

“At the same time, we need to create more awareness on the need to get the booster dose as only 60-70% of people who have been given the appointment through the MySejahtera application turned up for the shot,” he said in a statement today.

In terms of medical facilities for Covid-19 acute cases, he said as of yesterday, 34% of the beds at Penang Hospital (HPP) and Kepala Batas Hospital were occupied.

“Meanwhile, bed occupancy rate in the intensive care unit (ICU) for Covid-19 patients in the state is at 53% and we are always on standby to face any eventuality,” he added.

As for the Covid-19 low risk quarantine and treatment centre (PKRC), bed occupancy rate at the Mara Centre of Excellence (MEC), Jawi (South Seberang Perai district) is at 17%, while the Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang PKRC has been put on standby and would be activated when needed.

On October 18, Penang began administering Covid-19 booster shots to frontliners and this would later be extended to the elderly and those with comorbidities. – Bernama, November 19, 2021.