KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government is keen to procure vaccines for the state provided the supplies are approved by the authorities.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said he agreed with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's move in allowing states to procure vaccines on their own as this would help speed up the vaccination process.
"However, the state government will only take up the offer once the vaccine has been approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA)," he said in a statement.
On Friday, Sabah received a contribution of RM200,000 from an investment holding company, Kanger International Bhd which also offered to donate Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines.
Hajiji is also hoping that more will come forward and emulate Kanger's kind gesture.
Sabah Employers Association president Yap Cheen Boon said its members were also keen to get their own vaccines.
"As most of our members employ a small number of employees per company, it would be feasible to buy it ourselves.
"If there is an opportunity for everyone to group together then it is a different matter, but it also depends on pricing too," he said, adding the association has about 800 members.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, people in Tawau were asked to sign up for their vaccination following high Covid-19 infectivity but low registrations for inoculation.
Sabah Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the district has a total 343 cumulative Covid-19 cases with 10 active clusters.
"However, as compared to the total population of 441,774 people only 12.7 per cent or 44,529 have completed their vaccination.
"Therefore, the community is advised to register as recommended by the government so the herd immunity target can be achieved."
The registration can be made at the nearest health clinics, through the website www.vaksincovid.gov.my, or by calling the hotline at 180088828.