KUANTAN: Pahang's dismal Covid-19 vaccine registration rate among its people has been attributed to a number of factors, namely skepticism over the vaccine, as well as geographical challenges posed by the state's vastness.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail Pahang has so far only managed to draw less than 25 per cent of its target for the vaccination drive, based on figures from the MySejahtera app and state government's Pahang Covid-19 Immunisation System (SICP).
"The figure is still low compared our target of 1.108 million or 70 per cent of the state's 1.6 million population. As of April 16, only 115,726 (from a total of 360,000) recipients under Phase Two have registered.
"Inaccurate information (on the vaccines) spread by certain individuals sowed skepticism among some, who have since adopted a 'wait and see' approach.
"The geographical factor, with some remote Orang Asli villages (yet to be reached) due to the size of the state is another reason for the low registration," he told reporters here after attending a National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) event for senior citizens at Wisma Belia Indera Mahkota here today.
He said the state government has deployed volunteers from the Pahang Social Action Council to help people register for vaccination and even enlisted village headmen to help spread the message.
"The state government has actually intensified its efforts to draw more people to register but it seems we have not done enough.
"We now need to look into other immediate measures. Tomorrow (Tuesday), we have a special meeting on how to boost the registration process in Pahang," he said.
Meanwhile Wan Rosdy said starting today, 360,000 people comprising high risk groups, senior citizens aged 60 and above and those with chronic diseases will receive their Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines in stages.
"A total of 1,820 recipients in five districts namely Kuantan, Bentong, Temerloh, Rompin and Lipis will receive their doses today. We urge more people including the elderly to come forward and register so that they will be eligible for vaccination.
"We have completed the first phase involving 32,175 frontliners and hope to complete the second phase by June. The third phase involves more than 700,000 people aged 18 and above."
