Herd Immunity Through Vaccination Is The Answer To Economic Recovery

“Mass innoculation will enable life to return to normalcy where we can come out and mingle with one another without any fear of getting infected with the coronavirus.”

By Michael Tay, Johor MCA Government Coordinating Affairs chairman.

I’ve seen far too many “To Let/For Sale” signs on gates and roller shutter doors of shops and houses in Johor, Malaysia, lately.

People are selling their houses due to cash flow difficulties and many have depleted their savings since the pandemic. Some have not eaten for 2  to 3 days, and the number of homeless people in Johor is increasing.

All this negativity is indeed depressing, which is why I would like to urge the government to roll out the coronavirus vaccination programme and get as many people vaccinated as soon as possible.

Herd immunity is the answer to reviving Johor as well as Malaysia’s ailing economy which has been badly hit by the Movement Control Order 2.0   To achieve herd immunity, about 23 million or 70% of the Malaysian population needs be vaccinated.

It has been reported that retail businesses nationwide has dipped about 90% during the first week of  MCO 2.0 as the apparel segment had to cease operation.

Consumer confidence has been affected by the pandemic and job uncertainty, prompting many to stay at home and be more prudent with their spending.

I would like an update on the negotiation with the Beijing-based biopharmaceutical company Sinovac, the manufacturer of CoronaVac. Why is the vaccine not here yet, when neighbouring countries Indonesia and Singapore have already launched their immunisation programmes?

Indonesia recently rolled out its mass free Covid-19 vaccination programme with its President, Mr Joko Widodo affectionately known as Jokowi, being the first person in the country to receive the first jab of the CoronaVac.  Indonesia targeted those age 18 to 59 to receive the vaccine shots in the maiden phase of its immunisation programme.

Singapore received its first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 in December 2020.  However, there were reservations among Singaporeans toward taking the vaccines.

I can’t wait for my turn to get vaccinated.  However, I would prefer to receive the vaccine which only require one dose instead of the Moderna, or Pfizer/BioNTech and other vaccines that need two shots — a priming dose followed by a booster shot.  But that is, if I were given the choice.  If there’s really no option then I would take any vaccine that comes my way.

But I would suggest that we start assembling our frontliners and volunteers now for deployment to all vaccine distribution and administration centres.  The people who will be administering the jabs must be well prepared for the large number expected to throng public hospitals in urban, suburban and rural areas once the immunisation programme is rolled out.

The Prime Minister’s Message To The Rakyat

Last month, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did say that over 80% of Malaysia’s population (close to 27 million people) are expected to be vaccinated by the 1^st quarter of 2021.

Malaysia is going to be the first country outside China to carry out the clinical trial of a Covid-19 vaccine candidate made by the Institute of Medical Biology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China which will involve 3,000 volunteers.

You can read more about Malaysia’s immunisation plan in the link below.

https://www.pmo.gov.my/2021/01/3000-volunteers-in-phase-3-clinical-trial-for-covid-19-vaccine-pm-muhyiddin/

My Advice: Consult A Doctor Before Getting A Vaccination

I would like to advise those who have diabetes, hypertension or any other comorbidities to consult a family doctor or any qualified physician prior to getting the vaccination.

Malaysia reportedly has one of the highest number of diabetic patients in Asia, with approximately 3.9 million people over the age of 18 which is 1 in 5 adults with this disease.

For those who do not have underlying health issues, I would urge them not to hesitate in getting themselves vaccinated as only when there is herd immunity can there be hope for life to return to normalcy.  We will then be able to come out and mingle with one another no longer fearful of getting infected with the coronavirus, like the good old days where retail outlets, hotels, fitness centres and eateries were abuzz with activities.

Pre-Covid Days!

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in Your Say are those of the contributor, not the blog owner.