By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, Aug 30 — The decision to set up the Selangor Vaccination Programme (Selvax) by the state government to complement the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) was the right move, says Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Even though the programme had initially received criticism, the Menteri Besar said he is satisfied that the vaccine procured via Selvax is acknowledged by the people of Selangor and other states.
“When we came up with the plan to procure the vaccines, some critics asked why we would waste the money since the Federal government has already purchased the vaccines (and distributed for free).
“Alhamdulillah (praise be to god), what was described as a wastage, will now be distributed to other states as well.
“Tomorrow, I will be going to Penang to hand over 200,000 doses of vaccines loaned to the state. Furthermore, we have decided to give 20,000 doses of additional vaccines for free.
“Other than Penang, we have received another request from a neighbouring state to loan our vaccines too. But we will let the Federal government decide as it requires their approval first,” he said in his winding-up speech during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, today.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said to date, a total of 406,415 doses of vaccines have been administered through Selvax.
The state vaccination programme, which comprises Selvax Community and Selvax Industry, was launched on June 30 to complement and expedite vaccine delivery to some 1.25 million people in the community and workers in Selangor.
“Based on our projection, Selvax Community would be able to reach more than 350,000 doses of vaccines delivered while over 200,000 doses will be given through Selvax Industry,” he said.
