Kota Kinabalu: It is still unclear whether 300,000 adults in Sabah risk losing their immunisation status once and for all if they do not get their Covid-19 booster shots by March 1.
The State Government is pursuing a “will decide when we cross the bridge” approach on the next course of action for those who lose their Covid-19 immunisation status owing to failing to take their booster by March 1.
“Will decide when we cross the bridge,” Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, spokesperson for Sabah’s Covid-19, said when asked what the State Government plans to do in such circumstances after March 1.
Earlier, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, State Minister of Sabah Community Development and People’s Wellbeing, said the 300,000-odd who did not do so have a week to decide if they would lose the status.
Those without the Covid-19 immunisation status or unvaccinated people are currently subject to restrictions imposed by Sabah’s Standard Operating Procedures, which include being restricted from entering restaurants, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and other commercial establishments. In Sabah, a total of 2,099,034 adults had been fully vaccinated as of Feb 21. It’s unclear how many people have had their booster shots so far.
People aged 60 and above, as well as all recipients of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine, must get booster doses by March 1 or risk losing their fully vaccinated status, according to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
According to Khairy, their MySejahtera digital certificate would turn white instead of yellow, and there will be restrictions at the country’s exit points.
Many elderly were horrified upon learning that the records of their two doses would be no more if they ignored taking the booster.
They said they had various ailments and were worried the booster may not help their situation. They questioned also why the authorities would be absolved of any blame if something untoward happens.
They also wondered how they would survive if they exercised their right not to take the booster but would not be able to leave home for medical treatment or even to the supermarket if evidence of the two vaccinations are erased.
They said it reflected badly on the Ministry to on one hand say it is up to them whether to take the booster, while at the same time delete any evidence of them having taken two doses of the vaccine for not taking it.
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