by BERNAMA / pic by AFP

SARAWAK will receive 500,000 doses of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine, procured by the state government, within a week.

Sarawak Public Health and Housing Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee said an additional 500,000 doses of the same type of vaccine would also be received by Sarawak after that.

However, he did not reveal the total cost involved in purchasing the vaccine.

“The vaccine will also be given free of charge by the state government to private hospitals to help speed up Sarawak’s immunisation programme,” he said during live streaming on social media on Saturday.

Dr Annuar, who is also Sibu Divisional Disaster Management Committee coordinator, said the third phase of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for the elderly in the district will be held on May 18 and 19 at the Sibu Indoor Stadium vaccination centre.

The Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Sarawak has been extended from May 18 to June 7 as a high number of Covid-19 cases is still being reported in the state.

In a statement on Saturday, the State Disaster Management Committee said complete additional information on standard operating procedures will be posted on the National Security Council website.

A total of six areas, two each in Bintulu, Julau and Pakan, have been placed under the Enhanced MCO after there was a high number of infections of Covid-19 in the areas.